Todd Carney's road to North Sydney has been blocked after the 32-year old refused to pay a $15,000 release fee to his former club Northern Pride prior to the June 30 transfer deadline.

The Pride had the playmaker signed on a three-year deal, but Carney went to the Bears in an attempt to rejuvenate his career. But the North Sydney club did not wish to pay the fee and hoped that he would be released by the the Pride prior to Saturdays transfer deadline.

And with no release free paid Carney's North Sydney dream is over, although the Rabbitohs previously stated they were not interested in the Dally M medallist.

“I had that option with the Bears but Souths have blocked that,” Carney told The Sydney Morning Herald on Saturday.

“I’m sure something will come up.”

Carney had the potential to re-enter the league through the Pride's NRL affiliate, the Cowboys, but the playmaker moved to Sydney to take care of his sick mother.

“A lot of people in North Queensland backed Todd Carney,” Northern Pride chairman Tony Williamson told The Sydney Morning Herald.

“We thought this way his pathway back to the NRL. A lot of people are still scratching their heads saying, ‘what happened?’

“By signing Todd we missed out on signing some very good talent who would have welcomed the chance to play in the ISP (Intrust Super Cup) competition with the Northern Pride in a legitimate pathway to play for the Cowboys.

“For Todd Carney to do that out of Sydney, out of the limelight, it was the perfect scenario. He elected not to choose that but unfortunately he is contractually bound to the Pride. He will be released subject to a small compensation.

“I would like nothing more than to see Todd Carney playing football, but Todd Carney needs to know he can’t just walk away from a contract.”