Cronulla Sharks release Trent Hodkinson

NRL side Cronulla Sharks have announced that they have released half-back Trent Hodkinson with immediate effect.

Hodkinson, 29, joined the Sharks from the Newcastle Knights on a one-year deal, but the club have confirmed that they have released the player so he can ‘take up multi-year’ offer at a rival club.

The halfback made his professional debut in 2010 for the Manly Sea Eagles, and has played more than 150 NRL games.

The New South Wales representative has played just four games for the Cronulla side.

Sharks coach Shane Flanagan told the club’s official website: “It was part of an agreement we had with Trent, as we weren’t in a position to extend his contract beyond 2018, if he could find a multi-year offer somewhere else we wouldn’t stand in his way,” Flanagan said.