Gleeson leaves Warriors
Former Great Britain centre Martin Gleeson has negotiated a release from Super League champions Wigan.
The 30-year-old former Huddersfield, St Helens and Warrington player has not played for Wigan since the World Club Challenge just over a month ago amid rumours that the club had attempted to sever his contract. The Warriors confirmed that Gleeson had left the club, citing various reasons for his exit with more than 18 months left of his contract to run.
A statement from Wigan said: "Following a difficult recent period including injuries, a minor disciplinary offence and a serious distraction in his personal life in which he was the victim - all of which have made it impossible for him to focus properly on his career to the extent required by both club and player - Martin Gleeson has left Wigan with immediate effect."
The statement continued: "He will take a break to re-focus before deciding on his future career direction."
The controversial Gleeson, who earlier this year made a complaint to police about an alleged blackmail which he later withdrew, is thought to have been ordered home after turning up at the club in an unfit state to train on the eve of the game against Salford on March 4.
Gleeson joined his home-town club from Warrington for a six-figure fee in April 2009 and made his 54th appearances in their 21-15 defeat by St George Illawarra on February 27 before coming off with a recurrence of a hamstring injury.
Gleeson, who was dropped to Wigan's reserves last season as a disciplinary measure, is famous for his part in the 2004 St Helens betting scandal in which he and Sean Long were discovered to have bet on their own team to lose a Super League game at Bradford.
He was handed a four-month ban by a Rugby Football League tribunal and transferred to Warrington later that year for a record £200,000 fee.
Despite his chequered past, Gleeson is not expected to have difficulty finding a new club. He was among the crowd for last Friday's match between Hull and Castleford while Salford football director Steve Simms recently admitted his club would be interested in acquiring the player's services if he became available.
In a statement, Gleeson said: "I am very proud to have represented my home-town club and am most grateful to the club management and, in particular, Ian Lenagan for the support given to me over this difficult period."
