YORK City Knights have confirmed that Jake Normington is leaving Bootham Crescent.

The second-row-cum-centre announced the news on social media and The Press believes the club are now processing his release on the understanding he plays amateur rugby league as stated rather than join a rival League One outfit.

Head coach James Ford said: "Jake's leaving the club. There's been no fall-out.

"He probably wanted to play more regularly and I'm sure he could have done if he had carried on improving in one or two areas. But he would rather do other things. We wish him all the best."

Ford said the paperwork and terms of the release would be up to the board. But he added: "If he wants to play somewhere else I would not want to stand in his way - I don't want to stop players from playing rugby league - but it has to be right for the club as well."

Former England amateur international Normington joined the Knights over the winter having contemplated returning the amateur game upon leaving Hunslet at the end of a disheartening season, and he quickly hailed the professional set-up at York, saying it helped him get the rugby league buzz back.

He went on to make seven appearances for the club, scoring two tries, with his last outing coming as a second-half substitute in the Challenge Cup fifth round tie against Catalans Dragons on April 22.

He had arrived ostensibly as a second-row but he was used more at centre by Ford and the return to the club of Jake Butler-Fleming last month, plus the return to fitness of Brad Hey, saw the 26-year-old slip down the pecking order.