South Sydney have signed Latrell Mitchell on a one-year NRL deal with an option of a second.

Earlier on Monday, the Sydney Roosters said in a brief statement that they had released Mitchell from the final year of his contract.

Mitchell’s future had been up in air for months after he expressed a wish to explore his options for season 2021.

But he has found a new home at Redfern with multiple media outlets reporting that the dual premiership winner has signed a deal for $600,000 this year and $800,000 for year two should the Rabbitohs exercise their option.

Souths general manager of football Shane Richardson is thrilled to have landed the 22-year-old representative centre, who has desires to play fullback.

“Latrell is a sublime talent and, with the guidance of our coaching staff, senior players and mentors, we think Latrell can go to another level in the red and green,” Richardson said in a club statement.

“He has the ability to be one of the best players in the world and, from our discussions with him, he understands that it’s going to take a lot of hard work and effort for him to be at his best consistently and to reach his full potential.

“Things in the player market changed recently which saw us move into a position to be able to bring him to our club, and for him to make us his club of choice.”

The Roosters withdrew an $800,000 per season contract extension offer in November and granted Mitchell leave before the start of their pre-season training.

The Wests Tigers reportedly offered Mitchell $1 million per season for four years but couldn’t finalise a move, while Gold Coast, North Queensland and Canterbury were also touted as possible destinations.

In 96 NRL games for the Roosters, since his debut in round one of the 2016 season, Mitchell has scored 65 tries.

He has represented Australia in four Tests and played four State of Origin games for NSW.

Mitchell’s first official outing as a Souths players will be at a media conference at 3:30pm on Monday alongside coach Wayne Bennett.