Australian utility back Shane Elford has parted company with Huddersfield Giants after two seasons at the club.
Australian to return home early
Australian utility back Shane Elford has parted company with Huddersfield Giants after two seasons at the club.
The 31-year-old, who can play on the wing or in the centres, still had a year to run on his current deal - however he will now return to Sydney to concentrate on a university degree.
"I will always be grateful to the Giants for the opportunity to play in the UK and to the people in the town for making mine and my family's stay so pleasant," he said.
Elford had joined the Giants at the start of the 2007 season from Wests Tigers - although injuries dogged his first year with the side.
And despite seeing the experienced back leave the club, Huddersfield managing director Richard Thewlis believes the club have plenty of young talent able to cover.
Thewlis said: "Whilst it's always sad to see players move on, we do have three outstanding young, local outside-back prospects in (Michael) Lawrence, (Leroy) Cudjoe and (Jermaine) McGillvary, who will be pushing the established players very hard to get a starting berth next year.
"This decision will now enable us to re-jig the balance of the squad somewhat and we would hope to be in a position to bring in more new faces sooner rather than later."
