MANLY back-rower Glenn Stewart has officially been pushed out of Brookvale after signing a two-year deal with South Sydney.

The Rabbitohs announced the massive signing on Tuesday morning.

Former captain Jason King fronted the media to express the team’s disappointment about losing him.

“It is very disappointing,” King said.

GLENN STEWART: FIVE BURNING QUESTIONS

“He has been a crucial member of our team, integral to a lot of success we have had over the years.

“Not only that he is a really good teammate.

“He has done everything possible in his power for the club in the time he has been here.

“Souths are getting a very good footballer and a good bloke as well.

“At the end of the year, we will be a bit devastated that he is leaving but we wish him all the best.”

media_camera Glenn Stewart with his brother Brett Stewart during Manly Sea Eagles training at Narabeen. Glenn has just signed a deal with the South Sydney Rabbitohs. . Pic. Phil Hillyard

Stewart’s brother Brett made a statement to media at the Sea Eagles’ Narrabeen base regarding his drink driving charge but refused to answer questions about Glenn’s departure.

Halfback Daly Cherry Evans would only offer: “I’m obviously glad that he has his future sorted out and I think now as a club we can move forward.

“That’s all I’m going to say on that.”

But King, who shared the 2008 NRL title win with Stewart, who was the 2011 Clive Churchill medallist in the club’s premiership win that season, was more expansive.

“We are not angry but it is disappointing there are no structures in place that allows clubs to be able to hang on to (long-serving) players,” King said.

BENJI PLEADS FIND ME AN NRL HOME

EELS ACCUSE LUKE BROOKS OF TAKING A DIVE

“We have a few players at the club who have been here for a long time similar to Glenn.

“I guess it is disappointing that at two or three years at the end of their careers they can’t stay one-club players.

“The fans would really like to see someone like Glenn play out his years in a Manly jersey but at the moment the rules aren’t there and players of Glenn’s quality have to move on.”

Stewart joins 2008 Clive Churchill medal winner Brent Kite as another long-serving Manly player squeezed out of the club due to salary-cap pressure.

Kite joined Penrith this year.

Stewart is the second big-name signing to join Redfern in a week after former Panthers prop Tim Grant accepted a four-year deal last week to join the Rabbitohs in 2015.

Stewart and Grant bolster a Souths roster for 2015 that will lose Sam Burgess to rugby union.

Rabbitohs coach Michael Maguire was delighted with the club’s newest marquee star - a fair replacement for the departing Sam Burgess.

“Glenn is one of the linchpins to the extended success the Sea Eagles have had over the past decade and he will bring a lot to our club,” Maguire said.

“Glenn has achieved a lot throughout his time in the game and the experience that he has at the highest levels on the biggest stage, as well as his leadership qualities, will be invaluable to the young players we have coming through in our squad.

“He’s a tough player in attack and defence that can ball-play as well, and we’re looking forward to adding him to our squad during the next pre-season.”

media_camera Glenn Stewart tangles with Matt Scott in Manly’s win over the Cowboys on Friday night.

In a statement from the Rabbitohs, Stewart said he was excited about his new beginning.

“I’ve really enjoyed the times I’ve had at Manly over the past 12 seasons but circumstances at the club have led to me moving on at the end of this year,” Stewart said.

“I’m really excited about moving onto that next chapter of my career next year and I’m looking forward to the change, and the challenges, that will come with joining the Rabbitohs.

“I’m glad to have this sorted out early in the season so that I can now concentrate on finishing off the job I need to do for Manly this year.”

After eight months of negotiations, Manly, in the end, never even made Stewart an offer.

The question now is whether brother Brett will ask Manly for a release. Brett Stewart has constantly stated he would never play against Glenn.

Aside from Burgess’s departure, rumours continue Ben Teo may return to Brisbane.