Israel Folau has been released by Catalans Dragons and could debut for Southport Tigers as early as Saturday.
Folau made a $50,000 payment to Catalans to seal the release, The Sydney Morning Herald reported.
The release is likely to halt Supreme Court action against the Queensland Rugby League by Folau, who is being backed by Tigers patron and billionaire businessman Clive Palmer. The controversial superstar could now play for Southport against Currumbin Eagles this weekend in the Gold Coast competition; which sits on the third tier of elite rugby league.
"Israel remains one of the best rugby league players in Queensland and Australia," Palmer, who earlier called for Queensland to pick Folau in State of Origin III, said in a statement on Tuesday.
"His absence has been for far too long. All he wants to do is play with his brothers and enjoy the game he loves."
Folau hasn't played rugby league in Australia since 2010, with the NRL's Brisbane Broncos. He returned to the 13-man code with Catalans after his explosive split from Rugby Australia, who sacked the Wallabies ace over homophobic social media posts.
Catalans were miffed by Folau's agreement with Southport, having not heard from the player since the end of last Super League season. Folau claimed that his contract with the Dragons was repudiated due to the club failing to meet financial obligations but in any event, a release has now been agreed.
https://twitter.com/CliveFPalmer/status/1409416524947804162?s=20
"Israel has been great with us in 2020 both on and off the field and we wanted to facilitate the negotiations to reach an agreement," Catalans chairman Bernard Guasch said in a statement.
"He told us his desire to play alongside his two brothers and we didn't want to prevent him [doing so]. We wish him all the best in the next chapter of his career."
The Queensland Rugby League had cited Folau's contract with Catalans as its reason for not considering his registration to play for Southport. He is now expected to be admitted to play in the third-tier competition.
Folau has been barred from making a return to the NRL due to his hardline, discriminatory religious views. He is also 32 and well removed from his time as an NRL, State of Origin and Test superstar.
However, there will be an inevitable clamour for him to play again at the top level if he stars in his rugby league comeback.
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