Warriors prop Matt Lodge is leaving the club immediately after being granted a release from the rest of his contract.
Photo: PHOTOSPORT
Club chief executive Cameron George said it was a situation they had been well aware of.
"Matt told us a while ago that for professional and personal reasons he couldn't commit to a long-term future in New Zealand when we return home for next season.
"The opportunity for him to leave now allows us to move forward with our future planning and to develop our younger players.
"We're grateful to Matt for the contribution he has made since joining us last year and wish him and his family all the best for the future."
Lodge joined the Warriors from the Broncos in July last year in a move that created plenty of discussion, given his past.
The now 26-year-old was convicted of reckless assault in 2015 after a violent home invasion in New York.
His on and off-field record had been clean since coming to the Warriors, where he had made 14 appearances before confirming his sudden departure on Friday.
"I couldn't see my family living in New Zealand for a long-term future," Lodge said.
"Therefore we decided that the best thing for the club was for us to mutually part ways so they have some clarity.
"I respect the club and especially the boys a lot and hopefully I showed that by the way I trained and played physical and gave my all every game."
The front-rower had been named to start in Saturday's match against the Dragons, but would now not feature in the game.
Lodge's final appearance for the Warriors was in the loss to the South Sydney Rabbitohs last Saturday.
