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London - Injury-plagued England prop Alex Corbisiero has left Northampton with immediate effect, the English Premiership club announced on Tuesday.
The 27-year-old has endured a succession of injury problems since impressing for the British and Irish Lions during their triumphant tour of Australia in 2013, and underwent knee surgery last month.
He subsequently announced that he would be taking a year-long sabbatical at the end of the season, citing mental rather than physical factors, but Northampton have now decided to release him early from his contract.
"I would like to thank everyone in the Northampton Saints organisation for all of their support on and off the field these last couple of years," Corbisiero said in a statement.
"I've had some amazing highs and some frustrating lows while at Saints, but I have always been well looked after and supported. I've shared some incredible memories and made some great friendships along the way.
"It has been an honour to be part of such a special group of players, and I wish them all the best for this season and the future.
"It was a privilege to play in front of them (Northampton supporters) at the Gardens, and I will never forget the atmosphere they create and how they rally behind the team week in, week out."
Corbisiero, capped 20 times by England, joined Northampton from London Irish in 2013, but has featured only sporadically since then.
"Alex has made a big contribution to the Saints, on and off the pitch, and we've all been frustrated that he has not been able to make a consistent run of appearances in the first team," said rugby director Jim Mallinder.
"We wish him success in whatever he decides to do in the future."
