Todd Carney finally gets clearance to resume career

Todd Carney is finally free to resume his rugby league career after negotiating a last-minute release from the Northern Pride.

Carney left Sydney last weekend to take up a short-term deal with Hull KR, but was unable to make his debut for the English club until he had been granted a release from the Queensland Intrust Super Premiership outfit.

Free to play: Todd Carney will resume his career in the English Super League.Credit: AAP

It was the same impasse that prevented him from playing for North Sydney this season, although the Bears’ NRL partner, South Sydney, wanted to block the move regardless.

The Pride had played hard ball with Carney, demanding some compensation for him walking out on a three-year deal after just six games. The matter was only resolved on Wednesday, just in time for Carney to make his Hull KR debut in the local derby against Hull FC this weekend.

“We’re happy to announce, after lengthy negotiations, that Todd Carney’s relationship with the Northern Pride has ended,” chairman Tony Williamson said.

“He was walking away from a two-and-a-half year agreement, so we took a stance that we deserved some compensation. That has now be delivered. We wish him well at Hull KR.”

Carney’s criminal history could prevent him from obtaining a visa to play against the Toronto Wolfpack for away games in Canada, a situation Hull KR chairman Neil Hudgell is keen to avoid.

"There are all sorts of issues with regard to confidentiality and people don't want all their personal lives played out and things they did 10 years ago," Hudgell told the Hull Daily Mail.

"I'm told that no visa application has been refused yet if put in on time and that the Toronto club are working hard with the High Commission to iron out any difficulties. Hopefully that won't be a problem."