Friday 17 March 2017 19:37, UK
Leeds have confirmed they have reached a financial settlement that will allow hooker James Segeyaro to resume his NRL career.
The Rhinos have been demanding a £250,000 transfer fee after the 26-year-old former Papua New Guinea international failed to report for pre-season training despite having two years left on his contract.
Leeds were content to see Segeyaro frozen out of the game until 2019 if they were unable to agree a financial settlement, with chief executive Gary Hetherington believing a point of principle was at stake and that a worrying precedent could be set if the player was allowed to walk away from his contract.
However, Hetherington says Rhinos received an unspecified but substantial fee following mediation by the governing bodies in both countries that will enable Segeyaro to join reigning NRL champions Cronulla Sharks with immediate effect.
Hetherington said: "The terms of the settlement are strictly confidential but we can report that the club is satisfied with the financial settlement.
"Importantly, the club has been completely vindicated in the position that they adopted in relation to this dispute. The sanctity of the playing contract must always be respected and complied with.
"We are pleased that both the RFL and the NRL recognise the importance of the playing contract and the responsibilities associated with it.
"We anticipate that the strong stance that our club took in relation to this matter will ultimately benefit the game of rugby league in both countries."
Segeyaro initially joined Leeds on loan from Penrith last July and made a big impact, helping them to nine wins from their last 10 matches of the 2016 season to secure their Super League status.
In September, the player removed a get-out clause in a contract that runs to the end of 2018 but while on a visit to Australia told the club he would not be returning for the start of pre-season training in January.
"The whole saga leaves a bitter taste but I am pleased it has been resolved amicably and I hope James can go on and fulfil his potential in the NRL," Hetherington added.
"From the outset of our relationship with James, I am confident we have acted at all times with complete integrity.
"As a club we are proud of our record of welcoming players from overseas into the Rhinos family, the fact that the majority of players who join the club from the NRL not only complete their initial contract but agree to extensions speaks volumes."
The Rhinos paid a transfer fee to Manly Sea Eagles to secure Matt Parcell as a straight replacement for and he has played in all five matches so far this year.
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