Newcastle Knights skipper Danny Buderus has confirmed he is leaving the club at the end of the 2008 season to play out his career in England.
Just two days after fullback Kurt Gidley committed to the club for another three seasons, Buderus revealed at a packed press conference on Thursday afternoon that he has signed a two-year deal with English Super League club Leeds and will leave the Knights at the end of this campaign.
The 30-year-old representative player said it was a hard decision to leave the club that gave him his start in the NRL but it was the right time to go.
"I am joining one of the powerhouses of world rugby league and that is something I haven't taken lightly," Buderus said.
"I have enjoyed so much of my time here at Newcastle and it was one of the toughest decisions I have had to make to leave the club that I love and played my whole career here.'
"Obviously I stewed over it but if I never go now I will probably never go."
"I have got a beautiful family and I am at the right age to go so I am obviously very excited by the next path in my rugby league career."
Buderus said the deal had been set in motion about three months ago and he made his decision to join the World Club champions some weeks back and was relieved to have the deal public knowledge.
"I sort of flagged it a few months ago that I was looking forward to finishing my career over there," Buderus said.
"I made the decision going back a few weeks and it is the right time for me to move on and further my ambitions and goals I want to achieve over there in the English Super League."
"I told the boys (Knights players) this morning and already I feel a huge weight off my back and I am telling all you guys now and all the speculation is over."
"I want to focus on this year now and talk about Leeds Rhinos next year and I know Leeds are the same - they have got a comp to win over there and we will pick it up when we get over there in 2009."
An NRL premiership, 24 Tests and 18 Origins later, Newcastle coach Brian Smith said Buderus would leave a huge hole in the Knights line-up but said he was happy for the hooker to further his ambitions in the English Super League.
"I am at ease with it," Smith said.
"I am disappointed to lose such a great player. But I am at ease with it. Of all the players that you can think of I can't think of anyone who is more deserving of determining his own future than Bedsy."
From Sportal