Manly NRL hooker Matt Parcell has been granted an immediate release from his contract and will join English Super League club Leeds Rhinos.
Parcell had been training with the Sea Eagles in a bid to win the starting No.9 jersey next NRL season, ahead of Apisai Korisau.
But the 24-year-old has decided to fulfil a long-held ambition and will make the move to the UK, with the Rhinos paying an undisclosed transfer fee for his services.
"I have nothing but respect for my teammates and the coaching staff here at the Sea Eagles,'' Parcell said in a club statement.
"The club has been good to me since I moved down from Queensland and it was an honour to wear the great Manly colours. I wish Trent (Barrett, coach) and the boys all the very best for 2017 and beyond.
"I'm excited to have signed a deal with Leeds Rhinos ... I think the brand of football they want to play is really going to suit my game.
"Playing in England has always been something that I have wanted to do and I'm looking forward to the move."
Manly said Leeds are a "professionally run club" and it will be a good fit for Parcell.
"We are well off for hookers and this gives Matt a wonderful opportunity at a great club," said Bob Fulton, Manly head of football.
"Hopefully it is the start of a long term association between the clubs," Fulton added.
