Gold Coast Titans utility Will Smith has been granted an immediate release from the club on compassionate grounds.
A club statement confirmed Smith would return to New South Wales.
"The Gold Coast Titans have granted Will Smith a release from his contract upon his request," the statement read.
"Smith will return to New South Wales on compassionate grounds."
Smith, who began his career at the Penrith Panthers in 2014, moved to the Parramatta Eels ahead of the 2017 season, and then signed a two-year deal with the Titans ahead of 2022.
After 17 games in 2021 with the Eels, the utility, who can play fullback, in the halves, at hooker, or other positions in a pinch, has already made nine appearances with the Titans this year.
A majority of those have been off the bench, however, he has also started three games at five-eighth, the first of those during Round 1 when AJ Brimson was out injured, and the latter two during losses to the Penrith Panthers and Sydney Roosters in Round 8 and 9 when Jayden Campbell was out injured, moving Brimson to fullback.
He was dropped after those losses ahead of magic round though with Campbell making his return and Brimson shuffling back to the halves.
In his nine appearances this year, Smith had bee solid for the Titans, running on five try assists, seven tackle breaks and making 171 tackles.
He has, in recent weeks, been replaced on the bench by Tanah Boyd in the utility role however.
It's unclear if Smith has a new club, or whether his release on compassionate grounds is so that he can take a break from the game.