Fonua to leave Hull at end of the season

Hull have granted Mahe Fonua an early release from his contract and he will leave the club at the end of the season.

Fonua, 24, is to return to Australia citing family reasons and has been given permission to speak to NRL clubs.

He said: “I am extremely grateful for the club’s support and understanding of the situation and how accommodating they have been.

“I have always had ambitions to return to the NRL at some stage, but the timing now is important for my family and for us to be back closer to home.

“I’d like to thank everyone for the support they have shown me whilst we have made this difficult decision.

“This club, the players and the fans have become very special to us and I will give them the very best service I can for the final few months of my time here.”

Hull head coach Lee Radford added: “We are obviously disappointed to lose a player of Mahe’s quality, but we completely understand his reasons for returning home.

“It is not the way of our club to stand in the way of a player in these circumstances and Mahe and his family will leave with our blessing and best wishes.”

The Tonga international, who joined the Airlie Birds from Melbourne Storm ahead of the 2016 season, has scored 20 tries in 42 appearances for Hull.