Former St Helens forward Luke Thompson is set to leave Canterbury Bulldogs.
Thompson is currently in the UK after being granted compassionate leave.
General Manager of the Canterbury Bulldogs – the club where Thompson is on the books – Phil Gould revealed that the hulking forward had returned for a ‘mystery family issue.’
“Luke has not seen his family for a couple of years and we felt it important he returns home now during this difficult time,” Gould told the Daily Mail.
“He is to return to Australia on July 8th, but much will depend on how things play out back home. Some things in life are just far more important than football.”
The Englishman is on big bucks at the Canterbury Bulldogs and there has been talk over the past year that the Canterbury Bulldogs would be open to letting the 26-year-old go in a bid to ease salary cap pressure, with Viliame Kikau and Reed Mahoney already on their way to Canterbury next season.
Previously, the Daily Telegraph had revealed that Melbourne Storm were sniffing round the Super League Grand Final winner, with Storm losing veteran prop Jesse Bromwich to new franchising system the Dolphins as they begin their NRL life in 2023.
Thompson was reportedly offered to the Wests Tigers before the season started, but he previously said he was determined to stay at Belmore until the end of his contract.
Thompson has been one of the bright sparks for Canterbury since joining and has earned himself a reputation Down Under for bulldozing runs and big hits in defence.
However, Serious About Rugby League understands that the ex-Saints man will not be at Canterbury in 2023, where his future does lie, however, is unclear.
Could his return to England though be the start of a potential move back to Super League?
