BEN Crooks won't be a part of the Hull FC squad next season after being granted permission to try his hand in Australia, the Mail understands.
The 21-year-old, who has two years remaining on his contract at Hull, could still have a long-term future at the KC Stadium, however.
Crooks, who didn't feature for Hull in the final three months of the campaign, is eager for a fresh start having found life difficult at FC this year and has always harboured a desire to play in Australia.
With Hull coach Lee Radford opting for a change in the structure of his outside backs, with an emphasis on size and speed following the arrival of Setaimata Sa this year and the signing of Australian Steve Michaels for 2015, Crooks' departure suits both parties.
Selected for Super League's Dream Team in 2013 after scoring 19 tries in 18 appearances, Crooks made just 12 starts this season, with one appearance off the bench.
With a regular place hard to come by, Crooks last played in the defeat at Catalan Dragons in June and was sent to Doncaster on a dual-registration deal.
Instructed by Radford to 'bulk up,' Crooks has been the subject of much speculation.
Speaking after sending the centre to Doncaster, Radford said: "Physically, Ben knows where he is at. We've put him on a physical programme to try and improve that and help his game no end."
Having signed Sa mid-way through this season, and with Michaels recruited for next year and Curtis Naughton expected to be confirmed imminently, Crooks' position in the Hull pecking order has fallen.
The impressive form of teenage centre Jack Logan in the final two games of the season and with Kirk Yeaman still under contract, Radford has an abundance of options for next year.
Eager to not see his career stagnate, Crooks has set his sights on a switch to Australia where his father Lee was a big hit in the 1980s.
The Mail understands Crooks will sign for Parramatta and join up with ex-Hull coach Peter Gentle, now an assistant at the Eels, but crucially Hull will hold on to his registration should he return to Super League.
If Crooks comes back to England but doesn't wish to stay at the Black and Whites, Hull will demand a fee for a player they have nurtured through the age grades.
Crooks is understood to be excited about the challenge of trying to impress overseas and eventually make the breakthrough into the NRL, hoping his long-term future lies in Australia.
