The BC Lions have released All-Star Adam Bighill to pursue NFL opportunities, the team announced Friday.

The release is part of a contractual agreement between Bighill and the Lions with Bighill agreeing to return to the Lions if he doesn't sign south of the border.

“We have an agreement in place with Adam which allows him to seek out potential NFL opportunities between now and January 27, 2017," Lions GM and head coach Wally Buono said in a team release. "If he is not signed by an NFL team during this period, he has agreed to return to the Lions."

“I am grateful for the club’s understanding that as a professional football player, father and husband, I want to maximize my career potential," Bighill said in the release. "I want to make it very clear to our incredible fans however, that I love being a BC Lion and if nothing comes to fruition in the NFL, I will be ecstatic to return to the club.”

Bighill was named a CFL All-Star alongside teammate Solomon Elimimian after posting 108 tackles, five sacks, and an interception this year. For his career, the 28-year-old has 489 tackles, 33 sacks, and eight interceptions in six seasons, all with the Lions.