The BC Lions have told linebacker Solomon Elimimian he will be released, according to a report from TSN Football Insider Dave Naylor.

Elimimian took a pay cut before last season to sign a two-year deal and his priority was to stay with the Lions.

TSN's Farhan Lalji added the Lions had been actively shopping Elimimian the past few months but found no takers. The Lions also discussed retirement as an option but Elimimian wasn't interested. Lalji said there will be interest in Elimimian around the league as a free agent.

The 32-year-old has spent his entire CFL career with the Lions, playing nine seasons and winning two Most Outstanding Defensive Player Awards (2014, 2016), and the 2014 Most Outstanding Player Award.

Elimimian played in only four games for the Lions last season after a wrist injury, finishing with 26 tackles.

In 118 regular season games with the Lions, Elimimian has 745 tackles, 29 sacks, and eight interceptions.