Jade North has been released by Wellington Phoenix and will head back to Asia for the next chapter of his career. The Australian international has come to a mutual agreement with the New Zealand club and will fly to Japan in a bid to get a new contract.

Phoenix boss Ricki Herbert said he had no qualms with the decision as North was always going to return to Asia after his stint to put right his failed spell with Korean club Incheon United in 2009.

"Asia was always going to be of interest to him so we're happy to let him go," Herbert said.

"We knew he'd probably want to go abroad and he's going there to give it a shot so we needed to release him."

North made 18 appearances for the Phoenix this season but could not do enough to prevent the club losing their knockout final to Adelaide United 1-0 on Friday night.