NEW Gloucester signing Seru Rabeni had admitted leaving Leicester was a difficult decision.

The Fijian centre said he fell in love with Welford Road during his time there, but was looking forward to a new challenge at Kingsholm.

Rabeni is currently in action for Fiji in the Pacific Nations Cup, in a side which also features Gloucester's Apo Satala and Akapusi Qera.

In an interview with the Fiji Times, he said: "Leicester is a very big club and I had been there for five years. I had fallen in love with the place and got to know the boys so well.

"I have made so many friends, not only in rugby circles but off the field as well.

"It will be hard to leave them behind, but I will continue to go back as it's only two hours' drive and I also have a house which I call home away from Fiji."

Gloucester fans will be hoping Rabeni stays injury-free, along with countrymen Qera and Satala.

This time last year, openside Qera, after enjoying a fine first season at Kingsholm, ruptured his cruciate knee ligament playing in the Pacific Nations Cup, which sidelined him until the final stages of last season.

Rabeni, 30, is looking forward to linking up with his international colleagues at club level.

"It's really good to have two Fijian boys there who I spoke to before signing. It was a hard decision.

"I did feel that I had to freshen up and face new challenges. I have been at Leicester for five years and the Tigers have been tremendous.

"We have been in the finals for the last five years I have been there.

"But I needed to move on and hopefully pass the experience and strong mentality that I have gained to Gloucester."

He added: "I hope to pass that experience to the young Fiji boys."

Fiji have lost just once in this year's PNC, to the Junior All Blacks who currently top the table.

The highlight of their campaign was a 19-14 victory over traditional rivals Samoa, who featured another Gloucester new boy, Eliota Fuimaono-Sapolu.

They have also beaten Tonga, while their final game is against Japan tomorrow, which is a dead rubber as the Junior All Blacks have already won the tournament.

Rabeni took the field 62 times with the Tigers, but was troubled by knee problems and suspension in the last two seasons, after scoring eight tries in his first 10 games.