Penrith have released winger Dallin Watene-Zelezniak from the remainder of his contract, freeing the New Zealand captain up to join a rival NRL club.

The 23-year-old was given permission to negotiate with other clubs last month and has been linked with a move to Parramatta.

Watene-Zelezniak made his NRL debut in 2014 and made 106 appearances for Penrith, scoring 41 tries.

“While we’re obviously disappointed to release him, we do so knowing it is in the best interests of both parties,” Panthers chief executive Brian Fletcher said.

“As a local junior and a product of the Panthers development system, Dallin has given our club great service,” he said.

Watene-Zelezniak had been contracted to Penrith until the end of the 2020 NRL season.