Fien to cast net for future

Nathan Fien has been given permission by the Warriors to approach other clubs before his contract with the club ends at the end of the 2009 NRL season.

Fien has said he wanted to investigate continuing his career at another club.

"I'm really happy in Auckland and so is my family but this is the way the football business goes," he said.

Fien, 28, said he had been told he was not part of the club's plans beyond 2009 and as a result of that information he asked whether he could test the market.

He was told if something came up the club would look at a release.

"While there has already been talk linking me with other clubs, I'm contracted to the Warriors until the end of 2009 at this stage," he said.

"I wanted to stay on after that but I really appreciate the way the Warriors have gone about this."

Club chief executive Wayne Scurrah said the club felt it only fair to warn Fien of how it saw things to allow him to secure a long-term future.

"Nathan is aiming to play football at the highest level for some time year and we will do what we can to support him in securing the best contract he can," he said.