Bradford Bulls have today agreed the release of hooker Heath L’Estrange on compassionate grounds.
L’Estrange, along with wife Jessica, have recently celebrated the birth of their first child.
And the 28-year-old has since expressed a desire to raise his new-born daughter in Australia, requesting to be acquitted from his current contract.
L’Estrange had one year remaining on his deal at The Provident Stadium and has described his decision to depart as “extremely difficult”.
“I would like to thank Bradford Bulls for allowing me to be released from my contract,” he said.
“Me and my wife, Jessica, have recently celebrated the birth of Grace, our first child, back home in Australia.
“And we have come to the extremely difficult decision of leaving behind my professional career as a Bradford player, in Super League.
“I have had an absolutely amazing time with the Bulls and I have played alongside some fantastic players.
“I have made lifelong friends and I was honoured to be named captain before the 2012 season.
“But I am part of a very close-knit family and we wish to bring up our daughter in Australia, around those closest to us.
“The Bulls fans have been absolutely superb since we arrived in the UK, back in 2009, and I hope they wish me and my family well.
“This is a new chapter in my life, which the Bulls have already played a major part in, for both me and my family.
“And I wish Francis Cummins, my former teammates and also the fans a happy and successful 2014 campaign.”
L’Estrange has been described as a fantastic ambassador by Bulls head coach Cummins.
Though disappointed to see a key figure depart, Cummins is understanding of L’Estrange’s decision to return home indefinitely.
“Heath has been a great servant and a fantastic ambassador for the club,” declared Cummins.
“I am disappointed that he won’t be returning to the UK, but Heath has had to make a decision on the future of the most important team in his life and that is Team L’Estrange.
“I am a family man, I have children of my own, and they have to come before sporting careers. Heath has to do the best by his wife and new baby.
“We certainly did not want to lose him, he is a hugely influential figure in our team, but I fully understand his decision to stay in Australia.”
