The Daily Telegraph is reporting that Sydney Roosters great Mitchell Pearce has requested a release from the club after returning from an overseas holiday.

It comes after the Roosters shocked the country by signing Melbourne Storm’s legendary halfback Cooper Cronk.

Rumours have gotten louder over the last couple of weeks that Pearce wanted out of Bondi now that Cronk was the team’s preferred playmaker.

Some suggested Pearce could play as a “super sub” or even at five-eigth alongside Cronk.

Cronulla, Manly and Newcastle are the legitimate contenders to pick up the State of Origin pivot.