Monday 4 August 2014 15:08, UK
Josh Hodgson is to leave Hull KR at the end of the season and start a new career with Australian side Canberra Raiders.
The 24-year-old Hull-born hooker has made more than 100 appearances for his local club but now heads to the NRL where he has signed a two-year contract in the Australian capital.
This opportunity has come at the right time for me. I've always had an ambition to play in the NRL and I felt I would have had regrets later in my career if I didn't take this opportunity.
Rovers chairman Neil Hudgell told the club's website: "Whilst we are disappointed to lose a player of Josh's calibre, we fully understand his reasons for wanting to test himself in the NRL.
"As you would expect from Josh, he has been honest with the club from the start of these discussions and we have secured a substantial fee from Canberra as well as agreeing first refusal on Josh if he comes back to the UK."
Hodgson said: "This opportunity has come at the right time for me. I've always had an ambition to play in the NRL and I felt I would have had regrets later in my career if I didn't take this opportunity.
"Hull KR took a chance on me five years ago when I first came to the club and I was grateful for that.
“I've always done my best to repay the faith they showed in me and it was a really tough decision to leave."
