Footballer leaves club to go on Love Island - despite signing new contract

Halifax Town have announced that Jamie Allen has left the club to participate in Love Island despite handing him a new deal last month.

The 27-year-old will jet off to take part in the ITV Series just weeks before the Yorkshire outfit begin their season in the National League after falling short in the play-offs last season. Halifax have refused to say whether or not they will welcome back the player, who made it clear he wanted to pursue the opportunity.

The club said on social media: "Jamie Allen has decided to join the cast of Love Island 2022, making his intentions clear that the opportunity is very important to him. The matter will be reviewed on his return."

Allen has played for the likes of Fleetwood Town and Southport in the past and is an international for Montserrat. The forward scored once last term in 24 outings but last month the club revelled in securing Allen's services.

They announced his new deal on Twitter, stating: "FC Halifax Town are delighted to announce that Montserrat international Jamie Allen has committed his future to the club! The upcoming season will be Allen's fourth at The Shay".

Footballers have been seen on previous series of Love Island with Dennon Lewis staring in season five having began his career at Watford and playing for National League side Boreham Wood. Aaron Simpson was in the seventh series after assisting in Sutton United promotion to League Two.

Allen is not the only professional sportsman to put his career on hold to go on Love Island this year. Rugby League star Jacques O'Neill left the Castleford Tigers but has since departed the villa with the series still ongoing.

The club issued a statement at the time that read: "Castleford Tigers can confirm that the club has agreed to release Jacques O'Neill from his contract to allow him to pursue another opportunity. The Tigers have the first option to sign O'Neill back next year should he wish to return to rugby league. Castleford Tigers would like to wish Jacques well with his new opportunity and thank him for his efforts as a Tiger so far."

O'Neill decided to leave the villa after claiming he wasn't feeling like himself amid all the drama at Casa Amor. Despite there being a route back into the sport for him O'Neill has signed with FOMO Models and could prioritise a modelling career over a return to rugby league. "Jacques is being inundated with brand offers and exciting opportunities," the agency's managing director Rob Wilson told The Sun.