George Williams set for Super League return after being granted Canberra release
England half-back George Williams is set for an immediate return to Super League after Canberra Raiders agreed to his release.
The 26-year-old former Wigan favourite is less than halfway through his three-year contract with his NRL club but told them of his homesickness several weeks ago.
The Raiders say they received a formal request from Williams, whose girlfriend Charlotte is expecting their first child, to be allowed to leave the club at the end of the 2021 season but have decided to release the player with immediate effect.
Canberra chief executive Don Furner said the outcome was the best for both parties, saying Williams’ decision to withdraw from training on Tuesday meant his position at the club became untenable.
“George and his partner have asked on a number of occasions for a release to return to England to be closer to their families and we’ve decided to grant their request,” Furner said.
“George withdrew from training today and from the game this weekend which highlighted to the club the seriousness of George’s request.
“Over the past several weeks we have supported George and provided him with the best welfare support we could. However as a club we felt that his position at the club moving forward became untenable.”
Wigan received an undisclosed transfer fee for Williams and, as part of the release agreement, obtained first refusal on his services should he return to Super League.
Coach Adrian Lam expressed an interest in talking to Williams about a return to his hometown club when news of his homesickness emerged but the Warriors could face competition from Warrington.
Williams made 178 appearances for Wigan from 2013-19 and was in the team that won the Grand Final in 2016 and 2018.
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