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Brisbane have granted outcasted centre James Roberts an immediate release from the final three years of his contract on compassionate grounds, paving the way for a move to South Sydney.
Roberts reportedly was willing to see out the deal on Monday, however he approached the club with a release request on Wednesday to return home with his young family.
"While we are disappointed to lose James, we understand his position - it wasn't in the best interests of the club to stand in the way of a player who has expressed a honest and strong desire to return home," Broncos chief executive Paul White said.
"We've always supported James since he arrived at our club, and we have continued to work really hard over recent months to keep him at the Broncos.
"He has gone through tough times and great times with us. He has had two children and represented his state while being a Bronco.
"But he strongly feels that he needs to act in the best interests of his family, and that means returning to his family support network in New South Wales.
"All parties have worked together to facilitate a result that is best for all involved.
"This is the right decision for James, his family and our club, and we thank James for all he has given to the Broncos and wish him all the best in the future."
The former NSW speedster has been closely linked with the Rabbitohs since a drunken photo of him went viral which was the first crack in his relationship with coach Anthony Seibold.
That incident, combined with poor form and an ongoing Achilles issue, saw Seibold wield the axe on Roberts, who made his reserve grade debut for Wynnum Manly Seagulls last weekend.
South Sydney, who sacked the 26-year-old in 2012 for breaches of his playing contract, have locked him in for the next two-and-a-half seasons on their premiership glory quest.
"Make no bones about it, James is an immense talent, a player capable of representing his state and country under the right guidance, and we feel that James can return to his best football under Wayne and the senior players we have here at this club,'' Rabbitohs general manager of football Shane Richardson said.
"He will add great strike to our backline and through our discussions with him, we know he wants to return to South Sydney for the right reasons, and he wants to help deliver this club its 22nd premiership.''
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Brisbane have granted outcasted centre James Roberts an immediate release from the final three years of his contract on compassionate grounds, paving the way for a move to South Sydney.
Roberts reportedly was willing to see out the deal on Monday, however he approached the club with a release request on Wednesday to return home with his young family.
"While we are disappointed to lose James, we understand his position - it wasn't in the best interests of the club to stand in the way of a player who has expressed a honest and strong desire to return home," Broncos chief executive Paul White said.
"We've always supported James since he arrived at our club, and we have continued to work really hard over recent months to keep him at the Broncos.
"He has gone through tough times and great times with us. He has had two children and represented his state while being a Bronco.
"But he strongly feels that he needs to act in the best interests of his family, and that means returning to his family support network in New South Wales.
"All parties have worked together to facilitate a result that is best for all involved.
"This is the right decision for James, his family and our club, and we thank James for all he has given to the Broncos and wish him all the best in the future."
The former NSW speedster has been closely linked with the Rabbitohs since a drunken photo of him went viral which was the first crack in his relationship with coach Anthony Seibold.
That incident, combined with poor form and an ongoing Achilles issue, saw Seibold wield the axe on Roberts, who made his reserve grade debut for Wynnum Manly Seagulls last weekend.
South Sydney, who sacked the 26-year-old in 2012 for breaches of his playing contract, have locked him in for the next two-and-a-half seasons on their premiership glory quest.
"Make no bones about it, James is an immense talent, a player capable of representing his state and country under the right guidance, and we feel that James can return to his best football under Wayne and the senior players we have here at this club,'' Rabbitohs general manager of football Shane Richardson said.
"He will add great strike to our backline and through our discussions with him, we know he wants to return to South Sydney for the right reasons, and he wants to help deliver this club its 22nd premiership.''
MORE TO COME...
4 ways to do a romantic winter getaway in TasmaniaDiscover Tasmania|
