NZ Warriors centre turned backrower Euan Aitken will depart the club at the end of the 2022 NRL season, released from the final year of his contract in order to stay in Australia.
Aitken, 26, joined the Warriors for the 2021 NRL season on a three-year deal, playing as a centre before coach Nathan Brown successfully moved him into the forwards to end the season.
But with the Warriors to return to New Zealand at the end of the season, after being based in Australia since 2020, Aitken has been granted an early release in order to stay close to his family.
"The club was really good about it when we approached them," Aitken told the Daily Telegraph
"Brownie [coach Nathan Brown] has always shown great care for his players and I am grateful that they understood my situation."
Aitken has no contract lined up for 2023 and beyond, but is now free to negotiate with any interested clubs.
In the short term though, Aitken will start in the second row when the Warriors chase their first win of 2022, up against Wests Tigers on Friday.
Join Newshub for live updates of the Warriors v Tigers NRL clash from 8pm Friday.
