The New Zealand Warriors have announced that Sam Tomkins will be released early from his contract in order to make a return to the Super League.

The 26-year-old, who has struggled to settle in his new surroundings since making a move Down Under, is now expected to link up with former club Wigan Warriors.

Warriors managing director Jeff Doyle told the club's official website: "He came here excited about testing himself in the NRL and also experiencing living in a new country but, in the end, Sam has found it too much of a challenge being away from home.

"While we have talked with him and tried to work through it he has now come back to us to ask for a release at the end of the season. It's disappointing that it has come to this but reluctantly we have accepted there is no option but to allow Sam to return to England."

The Warriors gave the green light to the switch after it was confirmed that Roger Tuivasa-Sheck will make a move to the Mount Smart Stadium in a deal thought to be worth around £400,000 a year.