England international Geoff Parling has admitted that he is excited to begin a new chapter in his career when he runs out for Exeter Chiefs next season.

The 31-year-old, who has won 21 caps for the Red Rose and played all three Tests for the British and Irish Lions in 2013, will make the switch to Sandy Park on a two-year deal at the end of the current campaign.

Parling is currently nursing a medial knee ligament strain which has all but ruled him out of England's Six Nations opener against Wales in Cardiff next week, although he is determined to hit the ground running at his new club.

"It's an exciting move for me and a new challenge at the Chiefs that I'm very much looking forward to," the Leicester Chiefs lock told reporters. "They have a great set-up down there and a young, enthusiastic bunch of boys.

"I've spoken to one or two people about the club and the area itself and it's all been very positive. Of course it will be a change of scenery for me and my family, but it's a new chapter in my career and one that I'm keen to take on.

"The Chiefs are a lot like Leicester, they are very much a traditional rugby club, they have a great support base and it's a real hot-bed of rugby down there."

Bath Rugby wing Olly Woodburn has also accepted a two-year contract at Exeter, which will see him remain at the club until 2017.