KEY POINTS:
Bay of Plenty have released Jamie Nutbrown from his contract to enable the halfback to accept an offer from Welsh club Ospreys.
Nutbrown's last outing for Bay of Plenty in the Air NZ Cup will be against Otago on Friday at Mt Maunganui.
He then departs to take up his new two-year contract where he will join New Zealanders Marty Holah and Filo Tiatia at Ospreys.
Ospreys have paid a release fee to Bay of Plenty.
Nutbrown was contracted until the end of this year but Bay of Plenty Rugby Union interim chief executive Jeremy Curragh today said he was reluctantly granted an early release in return for his commitment and loyalty to the province.
Nutbrown has played 28 matches for Bay of Plenty since leaving Canterbury in 2006, and played at Super 14 level for the Chiefs for the past three seasons.
"Jamie is an exceptional person, team member and rugby player and we are grateful to him for the contribution he has made to Bay rugby," Curragh said.
"We are obviously disappointed to lose Jamie at this time and the release fee paid is reflective of our reluctance to let him go.
"The Bay of Plenty Rugby Union are very mindful of ensuring players honour contractual obligations, however, upon considering all factors it was agreed that a early release was warranted."
- NZPA
