Neil Hudgell says departing Michael Dobson has been Hull KR's "stand-out player in the Super League era".
The club has confirmed this morning Dobson is to leave MS3 Craven Park at the end of the season.
As reported, Dobson has signed a one-year deal with the Newcastle Knights after activating a clause in his contract allowing him to leave should an offer come in from an NRL club.
And despite his disappointment at losing his captain, chairman Hudgell says Dobson will go with everyone's best wishes after five years' outstanding service.
"Michael has always harboured an ambition to go back and play in the NRL again and he goes with our blessing and best wishes," Hudgell told the club's website.
"He has been a terrific servant to Hull KR and is probably the stand-out player for this club during the Super League era. Michael has also been an inspirational skipper this year and possess a never-say-die attitude which has probably seen him play in some games when he could quite easily have sat it out.
"His move to Newcastle has only happened in the past 24 hours and we are disappointed that the Knights chose to announce the signing before we had officially agreed the release from his contract with ourselves.
"Michael told me himself last night that he would be leaving and I'm sure that he will continue to be the model professional during the remainder of the year and aim to end his time with Hull KR on a high."
Rovers will now look for a "quality replacement" for Dobson but will refuse to be rushed into a panic signing.
Hudgell said: "We will find the right recruit, but it won't happen overnight, so our supporters just need to show a bit of patience."
