With the parties at a stalemate and May still on the club’s books despite being unable to play,they returned to the table to negotiate a severance. The deal will allow May to explore other opportunities;several clubs are aware he is about to become a free agent and are monitoring the situation,despite his current inability to play.

While May doesn’t have an agent to formally manage his affairs,those advising him have already fielded interest from overseas clubs.

The decision will give Penrith – who are seeking salary-cap dispensation to sign a replacement – certainty about their roster and financial position.

May has scored 17 tries in 30 NRL games for the Panthers,prompting the club to offer him a $1.1 million,two-year extension for the 2025-26 seasons. The three-time premiers will need to include May’s payout figure in their salary cap.

May has been engaged in charity work - including volunteering with Brothers In Need,an organisation that runs a soup kitchen - during his sabbatical.

In a recent interview with this masthead,May spoke about his difficult upbringing.

“The ‘pain’ tattoo[inked on my face],it’s basically a bit of a ... message for everything I’ve been through,” May said in May.

“Growing up,the trauma … I was in housing commission my whole life,except for last year when my parents bought a house. It was a tough upbringing.”

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