The 24-year-old hooker played 83 games with the Knights across five seasons, reaching the heights of representative duty with New Zealand in 2017.

However a fractured relationship with coach Nathan Brown and the resulting dwindling confidence affected his performances, forcing him in and out of the NRL side over the past two seasons.

Reports constantly surfaced that Levi was on the outer and had been told he was free to look elsewhere for another NRL contract.

It came to a head when the Knights signed Cronulla hooker Jayden Brailey in the middle of 2019, confirming Levi would not be first-choice No.9 in 2020.

"It was hard, it was a bit of a rollercoaster. I thought there were things that were unfair," he said.

"You hear a lot of stories where coaches just don't like you, no matter what you do. You could be in his bad books and that's it.

"I think I might have been in a situation like that.

"I'm just happy to be out of it."

Linked to Parramatta and Canterbury before finally signing with Manly in January, Levi's exit from the Knights was swift - confirmed on a Monday and told to be at training in two days.

He'd never met coach Des Hasler but felt he was the right man to revive his once promising career.

"I thought there were a lot of things that just didn't go my way last year, things I thought were a bit unfair but were out of my control," he said.

"That's in the past now, so I'm really excited for this year and to play really good footy and put my best foot forward."

Playing behind the Sea Eagles' massive forward pack was another attraction, as well as the chance to play finals footy for the first time.

But despite the messy exit, Levi insists he has no hard feelings towards the Knights.

"I never have anything towards the club or the team, some of my best friends are in that team,' he said.

Australian Associated Press