The 27-year-old has signed a three-year contract with the National League One leaders to join them from next season.

Harlequins are poised to make an immediate return to the English top flight a year after relegation.

Ive been made a once-in-a-lifetime offer by Harlequins to go and play there next season, Abbott said.

It was obviously a difficult decision to make, after having enjoyed so much success with Wasps since I joined.

Cape Town-born Abbott, who has won eight England caps, will be a natural replacement for fellow World Cup-winner Will Greenwood, who is retiring at the end of the season.

Quins director of rugby Dean Richards said: Stuart is arguably the most creative centre in England at present and we are delighted to have secured his services.

He has had a big part to play in Wasps dominance of the Premiership in recent years and has developed into a world-class player.

He is very strong in defence, has a tremendous amount of pace and a great reading of the game, making him one of the most complete footballers around.

News of Abbotts move has stunned Wasps but director of rugby Ian McGeechan tried to put on a brave face after the surprise loss.

Stuart has been a valuable part of the squad this season, said McGeechan.

There is no denying his quality as a player and we are disappointed to be losing him in the summer.

However, we are lucky enough to have good strength in depth in the centres, and there are some hungry young players keen to inherit the Wasps number 12 shirt.