Delray Rawlins says his decision to part ways with English county side Sussex was not an easy one to make.

The Bermuda captain has left the club by mutual consent after seven seasons.

“First I would like to say this was a very tough decision to end my contract at a club that gave me the opportunity to live my boyhood dream,” Rawlins said in a statement on the official Sussex website.

“I would like to say thank you to every member of staff, every player and every fan that supported me in my time at Sussex.”

Sussex confirmed that the player had severed ties with them and thanked him for his services.

“Sussex Cricket can confirm that all-rounder Delray Rawlins has left the club by mutual consent,” read a club statement.

“Everybody at the club would like to thank Delray for his efforts during his time at Sussex.”

The all-rounder came up through the Sussex academy and made his debut for the first team in 2017.

He went on to make 138 appearances for the club across all formats of the game, scoring 3,600 runs and taking 96 wickets with his slow left-arm.

Rawlins blasted a maiden first-class hundred in English county cricket in a County Championship second division match against Lancashire at Emirates Old Trafford in 2019.

The aggressive left-handed batsman put the Lancashire attack to the sword, stroking 100 from as many balls with 12 fours and three sixes, and reached the century milestone with a towering six off leg spinner Matthew Parkinson.

He really came into his own in the limited overs format and became a key member of the Sussex side that reached the semi-finals of the 2022 Royal London Cup, achieving List A career-bests with both bat and ball along the way.

He was also part of the Sussex team that reached Vitality Blast Finals Day in 2021 and proved a popular member of the squad among staff and supporters.

Rawlins was demoted to the Sussex second XI in the longer form of the game after the arrival of new head coach Paul Farbrace.

He made a handful of appearances in the Seconds and then in T20 warm-ups before taking a “personal break” and returning home in May to be with family and friends.

“As most of you will know, I moved away from home at the age of 14 and haven’t really had the opportunity to spend time with family and friends, and I felt this was the right moment to have some time back home,” Rawlins said.

“For me, this isn’t the end of my professional career, I feel as if I have a lot of cricket left in me.

“Once again I just want to thank the club and everyone involved for everything they have done for me over the past seven seasons.”

Rob Andrew, the Sussex chief executive, said he and his fellow colleagues had hoped the player would have returned to the club.

“We were all very disappointed when Delray returned home just before the start of the Blast,” he said.

“We fully respected his request for some time away from the game and had hoped that he would return.

“We have however mutually agreed to end his contract with us with immediate effect.

“Delray has made a big impression on everyone in his time at Sussex and we all wish him every good fortune for his future.”

Rawlins has been highly active since returning home, playing a leading role with both the bat and ball for Eastern Counties and Bermuda Cricket Board 50 overs champions Bailey’s Bay.

He is also training with the national team in preparation for the upcoming ICC Men’s T20 World Cup Americas Regional Qualifier, which the island will host in September and October.