Salford Red Devils have officially confirmed the release of Tim Lafai with immediate effect. Lafai has been granted a release from his contract in order to return to Australia with his family after a spell of just over three years at Salford.
He becomes the third high profile player to leave the Red Devils this month as their financial issues rumble on, following Marc Sneyd and Brad Singleton, who have joined Warrington Wolves and Castleford Tigers respectively, out of the door.
Lafai joined Salford ahead of the 2022 Super League season and went on to make a total of 69 appearances for the club, with 22 tries coming along the way. His last outing for the club came in February, when Paul Rowley’s side were beaten by Hull KR in round three of Super League.
The 33-year-old centre has confirmed he will return Down Under, but his next steps in the game are unclear at this point. However, before making the journey back to Australia, the Samoa international spoke to Salford Red Devils’ club media about his departure.
“If I’m being honest, it’s not how I wanted things to end, but it is what it is and everything happens for a reason so it means I’m going back to my family, and I’m happy with that,” Lafai said.
“I came here four years ago, took that risk and fell in love with the place instantly and that’s why I stayed with this club another few years after.
“I think one of the best memories I’ve had with the lads and the club was beating Saints at home, I didn’t know they hadn’t won there in over 40 years. To be able to do that with the boys and hearing what it meant to the fans stuck with me as a great memory.
“[The coaches] have done great with the way they let us play our game and not make us feel like robots on the field, just let us have fun and do what we love. That’s why I loved playing under Rowls and Kurt.”
On the teammates he will be leaving behind, he added: “They’ve played a huge role in the person I became over here and the energy I brought every time coming into training, feeding those boys that energy.
“I’d do anything for those boys on the field and off the field they’re my brothers. They mean a lot to me and they’ll always have a special place in my heart.”
Lafai’s release will go some way towards easing the financial struggles the club find themselves in as they battle to remain compliant with their £1.2million sustainability cap.
