Newcastle Knights centre Peter Mata'utia has confirmed he will depart the club to chase an opportunity elsewhere.
The 26-year-old returned to the Knights in 2016 after two seasons at the Dragons, but was unable to come to an agreement on a contract extension, ending his time in the Hunter for a second time.
Mata'utia never missed a game for the Knights this season and was regarded as one of their more consistent players on the paddock, scoring seven tries and averaging 85 metres.
He took to social media to deliver the news on Thursday.
"I got the chance to come back and play for my hometown again and I enjoyed every minute of the last two years," Mata'utia said in the Instagram post.
"I've known for a while what I wanted to do, I just didn't know if it was the right choice. But my chapter here at the Knights has officially come to an end."
Mata'utia joins a long list of players to depart the Knights in 2017 with props Jack Stockwell and Pauli Pauli the latest to be farewelled by the club.
The club have recruited well in return with Connor Watson, Tautau Moga, Aidan Guerra, Herman Ese'ese and Kalyn Ponga on board for next season, while Warriors forward Jacob Lillyman and Storm utility Slade Griffin are also expected to join in coming weeks.
