Gold Coast forward Jarrod Garlett will sit out the next two AFL seasons after being released from his contract at the Suns for family reasons.

The 2014 first-round draft pick signed an extension with Gold Coast to keep him at the club until the end of 2018 in August, however he has now requested a release to return to Western Australia.

“Our player development team and wider support network has been working with Jarrod for some time to assist him in adjusting into life away from his family,” football operations manager, Marcus Ashcroft, said.

“In the midst of this, a significant change in circumstances with his family back in Western Australia led to Jarrod making the decision it was in his, and his family’s best interests to be released from his contract.”

The 20-year-old played 17 games and kicked 10 goals for the Suns, having made his debut in the opening round of 2015.

The club said he would be unable to play in the AFL for the duration of his contract, however they would continue to work with him in his transition away from the sport.

Garlett is the latest in a long line of players to leave Gold Coast this off-season, following in the footsteps of Dion Prestia and Jaeger O’Meara.