Leeds have confirmed that long-serving forward Ali Lauitiiti will leave the club at the end of the season.
New Zealand forward is Leeds' most successful overseas player
Leeds have confirmed that long-serving forward Ali Lauitiiti will leave the club at the end of the season.
The 32-year-old former New Zealand forward is Leeds' most successful overseas player of all time.
He joined midway through the 2004 season and has won four Grand Finals and two World Club Challenges at Headingley.
He has made a total of 193 appearances for the Rhinos, scoring 62 tries.
But the Samoa-born player has found first-team opportunities harder to come by this season and confirmation of his exit allows him to find a new club for 2012.
He has spoken of a desire to try his hand in rugby union, although that now seems less likely, with Wakefield reported to be planning on making him an offer.
"My time at the Rhinos has been the best years of my rugby career and I am honoured to have played for such a great club," Lauitiiti said.
Great players
"We have got great players and coaches and my family and I have loved our time at the Rhinos. I am looking forward to playing my part for the squad over the next few months so we finish the season on a high and I will leave having made friends for life and wishing the club every success for the future.
"I want to remain in Super League for next season and I am hoping to make some decisions in the near future."
Leeds chief executive Gary Hetherington added: "Ali has been an outstanding servant to the Leeds club over the last eight years," .
"It is almost unheard of for a player from overseas to remain at a club for so long however such has been Ali's loyalty and dedication to the club that he has become one of our own."
