Veteran halfback Mitchell Pearce has requested a released from his Newcastle contract.
The 32-year-old is currently committed to playing the 2022 NRL season with the Knights but the club announced on Wednesday an official release request has been lodged. The two parties will now negotiate terms.
It follows heavy speculation in recent days Pearce is set to leave Australia and move to France to play for Super League club Catalans.
“The Knights have agreed to consider the request, with both parties respectfully agreeing to make no further comment until an outcome is determined,” a statement said.
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He was paid $1 million by the Knights this year but the club only offered him a reduced contract for next season, which he signed despite reports of interest from rival NRL clubs.
He relinquished the club captaincy at the start of 2021 in the wake of a sexting scandal that, at the time, threatened to divide the playing group.
A serious pectoral injury then hampered his 2021 campaign and, despite playing finals, the Knights underperformed and were bundled out of finals in week one.
The club has younger playmakers Jake Clifford, Adam Clune, and Phoenix Crossland fighting for jerseys next season, while Tex Hoy, Kalyn Ponga, and Kurt Mann are also options in the No.6 if coach Adam O’Brien wishes to branch out.
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Pearce will head to Catalans where he will replace fellow veteran playmaker James Maloney as the overseas marquee player at the Dragons.
Pearce debuted for the Roosters in 2007 and won a premiership with them in 2013, alongside Maloney.
He was the youngest player to reach 250 NRL games and had his eye on reaching 400 – matching future Immortal Cameron Smith – but appears destined to leave the competition on 309.
He has also played 19 Origin games for NSW, finally playing a part in a winning series in 2019 after years of torture at the hands of Queensland during what became an unstoppable dynasty.
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