Penrith captain Kevin Kingston is on the lookout for a new NRL club for 2014 after being told his contract will not be renewed at the end of the season.
The 30-year-old hooker is the second captain the club has offloaded in as many seasons, after getting rid of Luke Lewis last year.
Kingston was informed of the news by Ivan Cleary two weeks ago but the former Cronulla and Parramatta man has no hard feelings towards the Panthers coach.
“The club told me I won’t be re-signed so I am on the lookout at the moment,” Kingston told AAP on Monday.
“I am a little bit disappointed, but I feel lucky to have come here from Parramatta when no one else wanted me and I worked my way up to become captain.
“The worst thing they could have done would be to string me along. They’ve been honest, and that is what I like about Ivan – he treats you like men.
“We’re all big boys – we can handle it.”
Kingston said he didn’t yet have anything lined up and wouldn’t rule out a move to the English Super League if he failed to pick up a new club in Australia.
“I am open to anything at the moment. I’ll consult the family and see how we go,” he said.
Kingston joined the club after playing in the 2009 grand final for the Eels against Melbourne and replaced Lewis as skipper at Penrith midway through last season.
But with the emergence of James Segeyaro, who has been a huge success since his move from North Queensland, Kingston knew his days could be numbered.
The pair alternate the dummy-half role with Kingston dropping into the back-row to accommodate Segeyaro.
However, Kingston said he’s enjoyed watching Segeyaro develop into one of the most exciting young players in the NRL.
“Chicko is great and there is no stopping him when he gets going,” he said.
“I’ve enjoyed playing a bit of lock, which is somewhere I haven’t played before, but it’s good to be versatile especially when you’re looking for a new club.”