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Canterbury coach Dean Pay says the NRL club wasn't prepared to stand in back-rower Rhyse Martin's way after he asked for a release, despite wanting to keep him.
Back-rower Rhyse Martin has played his last game for Canterbury after being granted a release to join English Super League club Leeds.
The Papua New Guinean international was scheduled to line up for the Bulldogs against Cronulla at ANZ Stadium on Sunday but the club was forced to scratch him because he had already signed with Leeds.
The 26-year-old requested his release just before the June 30 transfer deadline on Sunday.
The goal-kicking forward was a fan favourite amongst Dogs supporters but it had been rumoured the club was willing to let him go, and he had been previously been linked with St George Illawarra.
Dogs coach Dean Pay said the club offered him a contract extension for 2020, however Martin wanted to take up the deal with Leeds to secure his future.
"We offered him a deal earlier in the year and he decided not to take it up," Pay said.
"I think he's got a two-and-a-half year deal over there. It secures his future, he was keen to go over there.
"We weren't prepared to stand in his way."