All Black great Dan Carter waved goodbye to his Racing 92 team-mates last week as he headed for a new challenge in Japan – and then counted his debut for them in the European Rugby Champions Cup as among his favourite memories with the Parisian outfit.

The 36-year-old was unable to write a fairytale European ending to his career last month as a hamstring injury ruled him out of contention for Racing 92's 15-12 final defeat to Leinster Rugby.

But Carter was quick to point out that one of his favourite matches in a Racing jersey was his European debut against Northampton Saints in a 33-3 success – in which he kicked six of the points.

He wrote on his Instagram account: "My First Racing Memory was the first time I got to wear and play in the famous @Racing92 Ciel et Blanc jersey. It was at Stade Olympique Yves-de-Manor and we had a great win against Northampton. This was an incredible bonding moment with me and my, at the time, new teammates, and the start to what would become our Racing Brotherhood."

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Altogether the New Zealander played 17 games in the European Cup, with all but one – his single appearance for Perpignan in 2008 – coming for Racing.

The world's record Test points-scorer notched 88 of his 104 European points with the Parisian club and described his three seasons with them as "an amazing experience".

He added on Instagram: "My time at @racing92 has come to an end and I want to take the time to thank everyone who has made it such an amazing experience. So many incredible memories, with even more incredible people. I’ve built an unbreakable brotherhood with my teammates, and shared experiences I will cherish forever while playing the game we live for and love."

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