Leigh release Kurt Baptiste

Leigh Centurions have confirmed that Kurt Baptiste has been released from his contract with immediate effect due to personal and family reasons.

The Papua New Guinea international will now return to the NRL to join Sydney Roosters.

Baptiste signed a one-year contract with Leigh after his release from Canberra Raiders but picked up an injury on his Centurions debut against Batley Bulldogs last month and has since been working on his recovery.

Keiron Cunningham, Centurions head of rugby, said: “Sometimes things just don’t work out with players from overseas which has been seen many times of late. It’s a big difference across the other side of the world and is sometimes a lonely place for players’ families trying to settle.

“Kurt arrived late with the World Cup and his holiday so missed the pre-season and then was unfortunate to sustain an injury which obviously set him back and added to the situation.

“We have always run a club where we put family first. Where a player’s happiness and well being is being affected it is in neither party’s interest for the relationship to continue if a mutual agreement can be found which we always endeavour to do and have managed on this occasion.

“We wish Kurt a safe journey back to Australia and a successful season once his injury recovers and thank him for showing an interest in our club.”