Former NRL player McKinnon, who was paralysed during a game in 2014, has vacated his role in the club's player recruitment department which he held for around 18 months.

The 25-year-old will turn his attention to public speaking.

The ex-Aberdeen Tigers junior was forced to give rugby league away when he suffered a devastating spinal injury in a tackle three years ago.

"It's hard telling people who have helped me so much over the last year-and-a-half, but I need to get out of my comfort zone," he said.

"I can't put all my eggs in one basket. I need to challenge myself and just go for it."

He thanked the club for providing an opportunity as he progressed through his rehabilitation.

"Having that sense of belonging - a lot of people in life seek that, and I got that back," he said.

"I've always had that through football. Obviously, I lost that getting injured.

"I found that again working at the club."

He paid special tribute to ​Knights staff members Dean Noonan and Troy Pezet, who he said “have probably been the two that have helped me the most”.

“Those guys have not only picked me up every morning, they’ve provided so much support for myself,’’ he said.

“Initially I wasn’t comfortable letting people do things for me, getting back into the working environment is so hard to do but they’ve given me the opportunity to do that and I’ll be forever grateful.”

McKinnon said he hoped to inspire people as a public speaker, while he will also take on an external role as a scout.

"I can maybe help other people from my experiences," he said.