Greater Western Sydney has announced that unsettled forward Cam McCarthy will return to Perth on indefinite leave, stating that he cannot meet the demands of day-to-day football.

In a statement on Friday, GWS said the club had agreed to place McCarthy on indefinite leave to allow him to deal with “personal issues.”

• The woman who just might tame wild child Nick Kyrgios
• NRL star Pearce stood down for ‘unacceptable’ act
• Shane Warne to star in I’m A Celebrity – reports

“Cam has most recently been struggling to deal with the day to day demands of being an AFL footballer and as a result we have agreed that the best course of action is for him to step away from the game,” Giants chief executive David Matthews said in a statement.

“Following last year’s trade period we agreed to implement a range of measures to ensure Cam was able to spend more time in Western Australia with his family.

“This included augmenting his training schedule as well as bolstering what was already a comprehensive welfare framework.

“Despite initially making strong progress after returning from the Christmas break it has been apparent that Cam cannot currently meet the demands of being an AFL footballer.

“We will obviously continue to support Cam during this time and assist him in every way possible. His welfare is our priority. We ask that Cam’s privacy be respected at this time.”

He was drafted by GWS at pick 14 in the 2013 AFL draft and made his debut in 2014, before unleashing his potential last year, kicking 35 goals for the season.

McCarthy was vocal in his desire to move back to Western Australia at the end of 2015, seeking a move to Fremantle in the trading period.

GWS rejected an offer from the Dockers of pick 22 and a 2016 first-round selection.

However McCarthy’s agent confirmed after the end of the trading period that his client was determined to leave the Giants and would seek to move again at the end of the 2016 season.