Is James O'Connor's Wallabies career over?

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James O'Connor

The Reds confirmed rumours O'Connor would part ways with the club in a statement on Tuesday, despite having 12 months to run on his two-year deal.

The 25-year-old has already been linked to French club Toulon, where he would join Wallabies Quade Cooper, Matt Giteau and Drew Mitchell.

He will not be eligible to play for the Wallabies next season having played 44 Tests for his country, 16 short of the 60 required to play for Australia when contracted to a foreign club.

"I came to the Reds with the intention of playing my best football in my home state and looking for a fresh start but I’ve struggled with some personal matters," O’Connor, who made his Wallabies debut as an 18-year-old, said in a statement.

"The Reds are a wonderful team and organisation and I’m very disappointed I wasn't able to achieve my full potential for my home state.

"I wish the Reds all the best for 2016 and beyond."

QRU CEO Jim Carmichael said: "James has experienced a difficult time personally since returning to Australia (from a stint with English club London Irish) and we've been aware of that for some time.

"It is disappointing that James was not able to reach his full potential while he was with us but after a great deal of thought, we believe it is in his and the Reds' best interests that we exercise our release clause in his contract.

"Therefore, James will return to Europe where he feels the spotlight on him is less intense. In our discussions, we've agreed that should James return to Australia to play rugby in the future, the Reds will have the first and last rights to secure his services."

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