The South African lock will leave to join French ProD2 outfit Colomiers with Rhys Carre, Steven Shingler, Gareth Anscombe Jack Roberts, Tom Williams, Blaine Scully and Sion Bennett having already announced they were leaving.
In the backs, four more players, with limited first team experience, depart the academy with Dane Blacker, Ben Jones, Cam Lewis and Corey Howells all leaving as does George Thomas. Elsewhere in the pack, versatile back-row forward Sion Bennett also moves on following a two-year stint in the capital.
“On behalf of the entire region, I would like to thank all of the departing players for their efforts in Cardiff Blues jersey over the years,” said Mulvihill.
“Whether they have been with us for three years like George Earle or progressed through the academy, they’re professionalism and commitment has been unquestionable.
“We wish them all the very best for the next chapters in their careers, or life after rugby, and hope they look back on their time here with immense pride.
“To single out George, he is a really good man and has been a really popular teammate who brought experience and aggression every time he took to the field
“We have been up front and honest with each other throughout and at one point it looked as if he would go back to South Africa, and we felt it was an opportunity for us to look elsewhere, but he now moves to France with our best wishes.
“As for Sion, he had a really tough start to the season, coming back from surgery and was unable to get the game time he needed in a hugely competitive position.”
Cardiff Blues also saw Wales and British & Irish Lions pair Gething Jenkins and Matthew Rees retire earlier in the season, while Samu Manoa also returned to America for family reasons.
But a host of key personnel, including Josh Navidi, Tomos Williams, Jarrod Evans and Willis Halaholo, have committed their future to the Blues while Wales duo Hallam Amos and Josh Adams will also arrive for next season.
“While there are quite a few players leaving, this was the first opportunity to shape a squad I inherited, and we are looking forward to building a group packed with excitement and quality,” said Mulvihill.
“It has been great to retain so many hugely promising local players with Josh, Tomos, Jarrod, Harri Millard, Garyn Smith, Keiron Assiratti and Shane Lewis-Hughes all among those committing their long-term future of the club.
“This is on top of the likes of Owen Lane, Aled Summerhill, Seb Davies and Dillon Lewis, who were already secured. The academy and pathway continues to produce talent and we were delighted to bring in Hallam and Josh to supplement that.
“We continue to work very hard behind the scenes to strengthen the squad in the right areas and within the budget we have as we build towards the 2019-20 season.
“There are still areas to strengthen and there will hopefully be some exciting announcements in the coming weeks, which will demonstrate our intent, while we will continue to assess the squad following the World Cup.”
