It is understood the Scot was on the brink of signing for Brive, but failed a medical on the knee he badly injured in National League One last season.
A dream move to Toulon to team up with his brother Rory also fell through, and with Edinburgh no
t having the money to tempt Lamont back over the border it seemed he would be staying at Franklin's Gardens.
But Scarlets have jumped in with an offer that trumps what Saints were prepared to give the 28-year-old, who, truth be told has been disappointing back in the Premiership.
Getting over such a horrific injury has obviously taken time, but Lamont has looked less than committed to the cause at times this season.
Paul Diggin pushed him out of the Saints first team and Lamont also lost his place in the Scotland side during the Six Nations, so it seems his career is on a downward curve.
He will be out to prove people wrong in the Magners League, but of the two Scottish internationals Saints had out of contract this season, director of rugby Jim Mallinder has definitely held on to the right one.
Saints had every right to break the bank to hold on to Euan Murray, who has proved to be one of the most destructive tightheads in the world.
The departure of Lamont does leave Saints without the option of a big, bulldozing winger though. From the academy, Will Harries has earned good reviews playing for Bedford in National League One this season, but he is of a similar stature to Diggin.
Mallinder may well have a big winger lined up, with 21-year-old Tim Visser seemingly available at Newcastle. The flying Dutchman was on loan at Saints at the start of last season and certainly looked a handful at National League One level.
