Wests Tigers have confirmed that Esan Marsters will depart the NRL club, the centre set to link up with North Queensland from next season.
Marsters has been released from the final year of his playing contract with the Tigers, the club saying he would “take up a long-term opportunity with another NRL club”.
It is understood that club is the Cowboys.
Marsters, 23, made his first-grade debut for the Tigers midway through the 2017 season and has gone on to play 61 games for the club since, scoring 17 tries.
Tigers CEO Justin Pascoe said Marsters had been a strong contributor over that time.
“On behalf of everyone at the club, I’d like to thank Esan for his contribution to Wests Tigers,” Pascoe said.
“We were able to give Esan his first-grade debut several years ago and it’s been pleasing to see him grow and contribute in numerous ways since then.
“This new long-term deal is a great opportunity for him and we wish both he and his partner Isabelle all the best in the future.”
Forward Ryan Matterson may be the next to leave the club after he was given leave from end-of-season training at the Tigers citing personal reasons.
He has been given permission to look for another club, having made it known he was unhappy with his contract situation at the Tigers.