US football star O.J. Simpson who was racially charged in 1995 murder trial which riveted the nation is expected to be released from prison as early as Monday after 9 years behind bars for armed robbery.

Simpson, now 70, plans to relocate to Florida once released from the Lovelock Correctional Center, the medium-security prison in Nevada where he has been serving his sentence, said his lawyer, Malcolm LaVergne.

Simpson claimed at his trial that he was just seeking to recover personal items from the dealers & he repeated that explanation at his parole board hearing in July, where the 4-member panel voted collectively for his release.

LaVergne, Simpson's attorney, told KTNV-TV that the former NFL star planned to relocate to Florida, play golf & be around his friends & family.

Simpson was convicted in October 2008 of armed robbery, assault, kidnapping & other offenses after he & 5 associates - 2 of whom were armed - ambushed the 2 sports memorabilia dealers in a casino hotel room.

In June 1994, Simpson's 35-year-old ex-wife, Brown Simpson, & Goldman were found stabbed to death outside her Los Angeles home.

Simpson has been out of the limelight while behind bars, but enthrallment with his story lives on.