Warriors centre Solomone Kata is on the move to the Melbourne Storm.
The 24-year-old has been granted an immediate release from his contract – which expires at the end of next season – to make the move across the Tasman and link up with the NRL powerhouse on a deal that stretches to the end of 2020.
Injury and poor form have seen Kata fall out of favour at the Warriors, and the Tonga international has been consigned to reserve grade this season.
"With limited NRL opportunities he was keen to look at other avenues and asked for a release after Melbourne showed interest in him," said Warriors General Manager Brian Smith.
"He goes with our best wishes and we thank him for his contribution."
Making his NRL debut in 2015, Kata finishes his Warriors career with 93 games in five seasons, including 46 tries.
In each of his first two seasons, he was the club's leading try scorer, with 12 and 15 tries respectively in 2015 and 2016.
He has represented Mate Ma’a Tonga since 2014 and also played five Tests for the Kiwis in their end-of-season campaign in 2016.
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