WEEKEND Today co-host Cameron Williams has confirmed his shock exit from the Nine Network, after contract negotiations for a new deal and role stalled.

The former sports presenter has already been linked to follow Nine’s departing sports boss Steve Crawley to Fox Sports, which announced a major restructure of its executive team last week.

Williams’ manager Sharon Finnigan confirmed her client had been unable to agree to terms on a new contract and was now a free agent.

Going to miss these wonderful people. Feisty Weekend Today team. But time move on from @9NewsAUS xx pic.twitter.com/0WlMdAsthr — cameron williams (@camjwilliams) February 10, 2016

In a statement, Williams named network career highlights as helping to create Weekend Today, with former co-host Leila McKinnon, hosting the London and Vancouver Olympics, as well as many season of Nine’s NRL coverage.

“It’s tough to leave a really challenging and rewarding job, I have no hard feelings toward Nine at all. Far from it.They entrusted me with anchoring some of their most important events.You know you’re alive when you are front and centre of something like State of Origin, or on NRL Grand Final. The last few years I have hosted the most-watched events on Australian TV and that’s quite an honour.”

And these rough humans! Best sport team in News. Great laughs over 10 years!! pic.twitter.com/dm3LGpCiDZ — cameron williams (@camjwilliams) February 10, 2016

Nine’s Director of News Darren Wick wished him well: “Cameron has been one of the most professional journalists that I’ve had the privilege of working with. He has made an outstanding contribution to all programs at Nine News and Current Affairs. He will be missed not just for his ability as a television presenter, but for his quality as a person.We sincerely wish him all the best for the future.”

Fox Sports sources denied Williams had a role to play at the pay TV network.

Email: holly.byrnes@news.com.au

Twitter: @byrnesh

Christmas Peg, a new book from Cameron Williams and Matthew Martin TV presenter Cameron Williams and illustrator Matthew Martin talk about their new book the Christmas Peg.

Originally published as Cameron Williams’ shock exit from Nine