Nick Cotric has been released from the final two years of his Bulldogs to re-join the Raiders.

Cotric started his career in Canberra, making his debut in 2017 before playing a total of 93 games for the Green Machine. He then joined the Bulldogs last season on a three-year deal.

However, salary cap pressure has forced the Bulldogs to release the star winger early.

“I’d like to thank Nic on behalf of the club, for the great effort and level of professionalism he has shown while here at the Bulldogs,” Bulldogs CEO Aaron Warburton said via a club statement on Wednesday.

“He has been a fantastic ambassador for the club, on and off the field, and we greatly appreciate the way that he has carried himself through this process.

“We now wish Nic all the best with the next stage of his career, in the knowledge that he will always be a part of the Bulldogs family.”

Cotric returns to the Raiders immediately on a three-year deal.

The club confirmed the “good news” via a statement also on Wednesday.

“We’re looking forward to having Nick re-join the club for the next three seasons,” CEO Don Furner said.

“Nick is a local boy who made his way through the local rugby league pathway program to the NRL, NSW and Australia while playing for us and we know the skills and capability he has as a player.

“Nick has indicated to us that he’s really excited about returning to Canberra and the Raiders, and we’re confident he can play his best football for us.”

“The Raiders are a proud development club who invest heavily in our pathway program and to have a top-level player like Nick Cotric who has been through our system return to the club is a show of faith in this.”