Zak Hardaker released by Wigan Warriors

Zak Hardaker has been released by Wigan Warriors.

The Super League club confirmed the news Friday morning.

Hardaker, 30, joined Wigan in May 2018. He has been released by the Warriors to return to his family base in Yorkshire to pursue career opportunities closer to home.

The centre, winger of full-back had recently been dropped by head coach Matt Peet over the Easter schedule.

He did not feature in the Good Friday derby against St Helens or on Easter Monday against Wakefield. Peet confirmed that Hardaker was dropped for falling below standards off the field.

The Wigan head coach previously said: “Zak (Hardaker) comes out but it’s not for an injury. He’s failed to meet some of our standards off the field.

“He’s reacted well since being told that and remains very much part of our plans going into next week, but he won’t feature this week.”

Hardaker has won six caps for England and has also represented Great Britain.

Radlinksi statement on Zak Hardaker

Wigan executive director, Kris Radlinski, said: “Zak Hardaker is a hugely talented player, universally liked by team-mates and staff.

“Everybody at Wigan Warriors has done everything they could to provide him with the platform he needed to shine at the highest level. As a consequence we are all extremely disappointed that his time at the club has had to end in this way. We wish him all the best for the future.”

The former Leeds full-back had asked for a release from his contract ahead of the 2022 season. The England international was reportedly interested in a move back to Yorkshire.

His future remains unclear.

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