The coming of Justin Poore and Shane Shackleton to the Eels next season means there must be departures, so the salary cap isn't breached.

Josh Cordoba is the first to go.

The 25-year-old prop is headed for the English Super League and Hull FC.

He was released from his contract last Tuesday, effective immediately.

Cordoba shouldn't be unhappy; this should be a step onwards and upwards for him.

Originally from Shellharbour, Cordoba made his NRL debut in round one of 2006 and has played 60 NRL games for the Eels.

He was prominent in Parramatta's surge to the 2007 preliminary final but didn't match that form in 2008, but then few Eels matched their 2007 form last season.

Cordoba has played little part in the NRL this season and has spent recent weeks playing for Wentworthville in the NSW Cup.

He's had his good games but was never going to be more than a bench player in the NRL, so was one of the dispensable ones.

The heavily tattooed Cordoba aspires to a career with the ink gun post-football, and has deserved more ink for that skill than his football in recent times.

Mobile and strong, Cordoba could be a big hit with Hull and regarded as far more than a bench player there.

Mark Riddell, now with Wigan, is one ex Eel he can renew friendly rivalry with.