Kiwis hooker Brandon Smith is leaving the Melbourne Storm at the end of the 2022 NRL season.
There has been heated speculation in the last week that the 25-year-old is headed to the Sydney Roosters, with Smith himself saying on Sunday that he wants to win a Premiership wearing the tricolours jersey.
The Storm ended speculation on Tuesday confirming Smith's departure at the end of next season, although his new destination is yet to be revealed.
Smith has played 86 matches for the Storm since his 2017 debut, winning the premiership in 2020 and the Dally M Hooker of the year award in 2018.
Storm chief executive Justin Rodski says recent comments made by Smith on a podcast do not "align with the club's values".
"The statements have deeply offended current and former players, coaches, staff and board members and the club strongly reject the comments made about the Storm culture," Rodski says.
"We acknowledge Brandon's apology made on social media today and his willingness now to prepare for the 2022 season with Storm."
"Brandon has every right to explore future opportunities as any player would in his position, and ultimately we respect his decision to play football elsewhere from 2023."
Smith has being courted by the NRL's newest club, the Dolphins, but he is widely expected to announce the Roosters as his new club in the coming days.
