Mitchell Pearce officially asks for release from Newcastle Knights

Mitchell Pearce appears to have already played his last game in the NRL, despite the Knights keeping tight lipped in response.

Mitchell Pearce has asked for a release. Photo by Cameron Spencer/Getty Images

Mitchell Pearce has finally asked the Newcastle Knights for a release nearly a week after it was first reported.

Pearce has reportedly been offered a three-year deal worth between $1.5m and $2m to replace former Sydney Roosters teammate James Maloney at Super League club Catalans Dragons.

Catch all the ICC T20 World Cup action live & exclusive to Fox Cricket, available on Kayo. New to Kayo? Start your free trial today.

The team is based in the south of France and for a player used to the headlines, it’s seen as a good opportunity for Pearce, who is currently 32, to finish his career in a competition slightly less taxing than the NRL.

The Knights released a statement on Wednesday afternoon, confirming that an official request had been received from the star half “regarding an immediate release from the final year of his contract”.

Mitchell Pearce wants out. Photo by Albert Perez/Getty Images

But instead of confirming or denying either way, the Knights revealed very little as the details are ironed out.

“Club officials met with Pearce last night and again today, where the request was outlined and officially lodged,” the statement read.

“The Knights have agreed to consider the request, with both parties respectfully agreeing to make no further comment until an outcome is determined.

“Discussions between Pearce and the Club remain productive, with both parties focused on achieving a positive outcome while maintaining the great relationship that currently exists.

“No specific timeline has been determined on an outcome for the request, with all involved continuing to follow the due process required.”

Pearce, who has played 309 NRL games, won a premiership and played 19 State of Origin matches, has had his fair share of off-field issues as well, including when he was at the centre of a texting scandal with a Knights staffer before last season.

It was a scandal that cost Pearce the Knights captaincy and he ultimately accepted a $250,000 pay cut to a reported $650,000 for the 2022 season.

Pearce was also at the centre of an infamous 2016 Australia Day video featuring a lewd act with a dog.

Mitchell Pearce is on his way out of Newcastle. Photo by Matt Roberts/Getty Images

The Knights have also been making moves, having signed rugby league Immortal and favourite son Andrew Johns as a part-time halves coach.

The Knights do have halves including former Dragon Adam Clune, former Cowboy Jake Clifford and even fullback Kalyn Ponga able to form a new look halves combination, assuming the Pearce deal is made.

It was just yesterday that Knights coach Adam O’Brien told The Daily Telegraph that nobody at the Knights had “heard a single sentence” from Pearce or his manager.

That news was met with criticism from Channel 7’s Michelle Bishop who said O’Brien trying to plan to keep Pearce would “be his downfall”.

Fox Sports said that the Knights were attempting to get a transfer fee for Pearce to make the deal.

Originally published as Mitchell Pearce officially asks for release from Newcastle Knights