Former England batsman Gary Ballance has been released from his contract with England’s Yorkshire two years earlier.
The 33-year-old Zimbabwe-born player has been sidelined for a year due to mental health issues.
Yorkshire said Ballance, who had asked to be sacked, would not play for another team in the county championship next year.
The southpaw admitted last year to using racist language against former team-mate Azeem Rafiq, whose explosive allegations of institutional racism at Yorkshire rocked English cricket and sparked sweeping changes at the club.
He also personally apologized to Rafiq.
“I’ve been through a difficult period and after a lot of discussion I decided with my family that it would be good to make a change,” said Ballance.
“I have asked the Club if they would be willing to release me from my contract and I am grateful for their understanding as we have reached an agreement… I hope my decision will mean that my career can get a fresh start”.
Yorkshire general manager Darren Gough said Ballance left with the best wishes from the club.
“He has been a mainstay of our side for many years and a great hitter,” he said.
“As a club we recognize that the last 18 months have been difficult for Gary for a variety of reasons and the most important thing for him is to get better and play again.
“He felt he couldn’t do this at Headingley, and we reluctantly agreed to his request, but we knew it was the right decision for him personally”.