Sharks NRL squad member Mitch Brown has been released effective immediately to take up a contract with English club Leigh.

Brown, a local junior from the Gymea Gorillas who debuted in the NRL with the Sharks in 2006 before going on to play for the Bulldogs and Tigers, returned to the club ahead of the 2015 season.

In 11-seasons in the top grade Brown has played 130 NRL games, 42 for the Sharks. While only playing one NRL game in 2016, Brown performed strongly, scoring a vital try in the Sharks win over the Panthers in round 18.

While his appearances in the NRL have been rare over the past two seasons, Brown has played a starring role for the Newtown Jets in the NSW Cup (this year Intrust Super Premiership), being named Player of the Year in 2015 and captaining the team into their current position of fifth in 2016.

Capable of playing wing, fullback or centre, Brown joins a Leigh Centurions club pushing for promotion into the UK Super League next season. They currently sit atop the second tier Championship ladder.

The contract with Leigh is for the remainder of 2016, as well as the 2017 and 2018 seasons.