"I cannot speak too highly of his input over the last three-and-a-half years.  He has played 76 times for us and amassed 409 points from 15 tries, 69 penalties, 53 conversions and seven drop-goals.

"He was a match winner on many occasions and I know the fans will never forget his try from 40 metres to win the game against Toulouse - ask Vincent Clerc, the French international wing, who chased him all the way if Brendan was short of pace!"

"On three separate occasions Brendan won matches for us, all away from home, against Leinster, Ulster and the Dragons, with the last kick of the game, so that spoke volumes for his temperament.

"His main quality as a player is his ability to see space and even more importantly he knows how to exploit that space both for himself and others.  These gifts are not bestowed on many in our country and it enabled him to act as a catalyst for the players round about him.

"His enthusiasm, confidence and communication skills also set him apart from some team-mates who are a wee bit reserved and I'm sure that his demeanour rubbed off on those who were fortunate enough to play with him. It saddens me that some people were never able to appreciate the magnitude of Brendan's contribution. We wish him well in Japan. We will miss him and we'll never forget him."

Laney said: "I have had a fantastic time here with Edinburgh Rugby but it is now time to move on.

"It has been great taking Edinburgh from our position three years ago to where we are now. Obviously being involved in the first Scottish team to reach the quarter finals of the Heineken Cup last year was brilliant and from a Scotland point of view, my first cap and beating South Africa is something I will never forget.

"I have a lot of people to thank while I have been in Edinburgh but I'll get round as many as I can before I leave.

"It's going to be an exciting two years with a new environment that I'll have to get used to. Also getting my brain around the Japanese language is going to be hard work. It is encouraging that the team I am going to, play an expansive game which is what I am used to here at Edinburgh and I'm looking forward to adding to the team performance."

Scott Murray, Edinburgh Rugby lock forward, said: "He is one of my best buddies on and off the park and has been one of Edinburgh's best and most influential players over the past few years. He will be sorely missed."

Todd Blackadder, player/coach, said: "Brendan will be a tremendous loss to us. He has brought great leadership to the team and he has been a great team man. He is one of the characters within our team. It is hard to say all the things that Brendan has brought to us, but people who know Brendan and watch him play will know the qualities I am talking about. He has been great and I wish him and wife Miranda well in their new adventures. More importantly I am looking forward to playing the rest of the season with him."