CANTERBURY has sensationally terminated the rich contract for Cronulla Test star Andrew Fifita.

The Bulldogs signed Fifita earlier this month to a four-year deal worth a reported $3.5 million.

Fifita is said to be shocked at the decision.

Canterbury has been accused of having too many forwards for next season after signing Fifita.

The statement from the Bulldogs stated that they had advised Fifita’s management that he would not be playing for the club “given the final terms of the NRL Playing Contract could not be agreed.”

Bulldogs Chief Executive Raelene Castle said: “After signing a Memorandum of Understanding with Andrew we’ve not been able to agree on the final terms of his NRL Playing Contract and have ceased negotiations with his management.

DON’T SWITCH TO RUGBY FOR MONEY, ARU WARNS FIFITA

“We wish Andrew all the best for the future” Castle said

“Andrew is disappointed that we could not finalise terms with the Bulldogs but we still have several options in the pipeline to explore,” Fifita’s Management Group I.am Athlete Management said.

Last week Fifita made the contentious statement that he actually wished he had defected to rugby union.

“If I could go back now, I wish I chose rugby and then I wouldn’t be getting all the s*** I’ve been catching now,” Fifita said.

“I grew up playing rugby so it was one of the best things.

“It’s always going to be there and I will eventually go to union.

“It’s another dream and I just want to chase another dream.

“I’ve pretty much got everything in rugby league except a premiership and that’s all I really want, and to win an Origin series.”

The Sharks issued a brief statement shortly after the Bulldogs announcement.

“The Sharks have been made aware of the latest developments relating to Andrew Fifita and his proposed 2015-2018 NRL Playing Contract with the Bulldogs,” the statement said.

“No doubt this situation will be confusing and disappointing for Andrew and the Sharks as a club have an obligation to assist him and his family to manage this issue.”

Fifita became one of the hottest properties in rugby league after a breakthrough season in 2013 which led to Blues Origin and World Cup selection. He was also named Dally M Prop of the Year.

It is believed the Sharks offered Fifita a deal worth $700,000 a season before it was announced that he accepted the $800,000 Bulldogs offer.

The Rabbitohs had also shown interest.

Fifita has also attracted attention from the Australian Rugby Union, who were prepared to fork out $1 million a year to lure the tearaway forward back to the game he once played as a junior.

Fifita was spotted at a Waratahs game earlier this year during his ongoing contract negotiations.

The 24-year-old is currently in the third of his three-year deal at Cronulla. The former Wests Tiger having been signed to the club by suspended coach Shane Flanagan.

It’s only three weeks since the Bulldogs made the announcement that Fifita would join the club for the 2015 season.

Upon signing for the Bulldogs CEO Raelene Castle said it was “an important day for the club”.

“It is not everyday you sign a Kangaroos and a State of Origin player,” she said.

“Andrew is an inspirational player and he is a great signing for the Bulldogs both on and off the field.”

Signing Fifita had already created a dilemma on how the Bulldogs were going to fit Fifita into a star-studded pack that already boasted James Graham, Frank Prtichard, Aiden Tolman, Sam Kasiano and Greg Eastwood.