Gloucester have confirmed 30-year-old Paterson's Kingsholm departure by "mutual consent", and he will link up with former England head coach Andy Robinson at Edinburgh this summer.

The move follows Robinson's swoop for Scotland lock Jim Hamilton, whose switch from Leicester was confirmed on Friday.

Paterson, who has won 86 caps and amassed 659 Test points, made 17 appearances for Gloucester, although he struggled to pin down a regular starting place.

He said: "I feel as if my one year at Gloucester has made me a more knowledgeable player.

"I have learned so much and have been fortunate to work again with good coaches.

"The environment at Gloucester has been terrific for me. I think when I have been on the field I've performed pretty well."

The abiding memory for Gloucester supporters though, will probably be Paterson's three failed first-half penalties against Heineken Cup quarter-final opponents Munster when the Premiership leaders' European campaign came to a grinding halt four weeks ago.

Gloucester head coach Dean Ryan labelled Paterson "an outstanding professional."

Ryan said: "Although his starting opportunities have been limited, his dedication and versatility have been very influential within the squad.

"We still have some big games remaining this season and I am sure Chris will have an important role to play in these.

"He has been an outstanding professional, both on and off the field, since joining us after the World Cup. We wish him every success with this move."

Robinson added: "We want to compete at the highest level and to achieve that objective we have to have a world-class goal kicker.

"Unquestionably, Chris is a world-class goal-kicker.

"I felt that to move the squad forward it was important to have a player of his ability in our ranks. We are signing him to compete for a place in two positions - full-back and fly-half.

"Having spoken with him, I have been struck by his real desire to play for Edinburgh. With a player of his status available, it increases our options to rotate our squad."

Paterson is now within touching distance of breaking Gavin Hastings' Scotland Test record of 667 points.

He also enjoyed a 100 per cent success rate at last autumn's World Cup, booting 17 successful kicks.