DEPARTING wing Josh Adams said he owed a debt of gratitude to Worcester Warriors and would like to consider them as his “first club”.

The Wales star will leave Warriors at the end of the season after agreeing an undisclosed deal with Cardiff Blues.

But speaking prior to yesterday’s announcement Adams acknowledged the impact Warriors had on his career and stressed how difficult it would be to say goodbye to the Sixways faithful.

The 23-year-old began his career with Scarlets but with first-team opportunities limited he joined Worcester’s academy in 2015.

After spells on loan at Cinderford and Nottingham Adams soon established himself as a prolific finisher in the Gallagher Premiership.

His superb showings in blue and gold led him to pull on Wales’ famous red jersey and has now got 11 caps and a Six Nations title to his name.

However due to Welsh Rugby Union’s 60-cap rule Adams who has scored 34 tries in 59 appearances for Warriors has been forced to return to his home country when his contract expires this summer to keep his international future alive.

Asked whether it would be tough to depart Warriors, Adams said: “Definitely.

“I would like to consider it as my first club.

“I came into the academy here and they showed some confidence in me.

“They put me into the first-team in the 2016-17 season. I was managing to get a few starts and then eventually moved up into the international set-up.

“I do owe a lot to Worcester.”

Adams marked his first senior appearance for Warriors with a try in a pre-season friendly against Saracens at Bramley Road in 2015.

The Swansea-born back then made his Premiership debut in September 2016 before crossing the whitewash 13 times in 23 outings that season.

The following campaign saw Adams finish as the top-flight’s joint top try-scorer with 13 tries in 17 games and has made a big contribution this term too.

“I love playing for Worcester,” Adams said.

“Obviously it is a massive honour to play for your country but when I come back (to Warriors) I’m back playing with the boys that I have been playing with for the past couple of seasons.

“It’s brilliant.

“(The transition from club rugby to international rugby) hasn’t been too difficult to be honest.

“I think the coaches have made it really easy for me as well and been really helpful so I have got to give a lot of credit to them.

“They have been really good to me.”

The announcement of Adams’ departure comes three weeks after wing Bryce Heem’s summer exit was confirmed.

Boss Alan Solomons said he would be sad to see Adams move on but was confident he would give his all for Warriors in their bid to beat the drop this term.

“Josh is a brilliant player, an outstanding team man and a great bloke,” Solomons said.

“We are really sorry to see him go, but understand that as a proud Welshman he wants to represent his country.

“We wish him all the very best and know that he will be giving everything right through to the end of the season.”