Shaun Johnson has been granted an immediate release from the final year of his contract with the New Zealand Warriors.
The playmaker, 28, has spent his entire career with the Warriors, making 162 NRL appearances since his debut in 2011.
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After a meeting with the Warriors on Tuesday, Johnson – who will reportedly join either the Cronulla Sharks or St George Illawarra Dragons – was released.
"Yesterday [head coach] Stephen Kearney, [recruitment manager] Peter O'Sullivan and I met with Shaun and his manager Peter Brown," Warriors CEO Cameron George said in a statement on Wednesday.
"During the meeting Shaun clearly demonstrated to us that he didn't want to be at the club in 2019.
“This is about what’s right for the club.” - Cameron George on Shaun Johnson announcement.#NRL #JohnsonReleased pic.twitter.com/PF208Vlk5y
— Vodafone Warriors (@NZWarriors) November 27, 2018
"On the basis of what Shaun told us, we are not going to compromise our culture on and off the field with people who do not wish to represent our club, members and fans in the way we expect.
"Everything we do is about the club being first and what's best for our future, our development and ultimately our results.
"While it's disappointing it has come to this, we must acknowledge the contribution Shaun has made to the Vodafone Warriors. We're proud of what he has achieved at the club and wish him the best for the future."
Johnson is a 29-time New Zealand international who scored 917 points during his time with the Warriors.
