NZ Warriors have recruited Parramatta Eels back-rower Marata Niukore for the 2023 season and beyond.
The club has confirmed his signature, with the 25-year-old has accepting a lucrative NZ$2.6 million, four-year deal with the Auckland club.
News Corp reports the Eels wanted to keep Niukure, but needed to free up funds to retain key hooker Reed Mahoney, who is being tempted by a big-money offer from Canterbury Bulldogs.
Superstar captain Clint Gutherson, State of Origin prop Junior Paulo and hardman Ryan Matterson are also off contract at the end of next season.
Niukore, who can also slot in at centre, is understood to have signed a $625,000-a-year deal to be announced later on Thursday.
The 77-NRL game veteran will see out his contract with the Eels in 2022, before joining the Warriors before the 2023 season.
Niukore was a standout for the Eels last season, playing a key role in their march to the NRL playoffs, with several clubs, including the St George Dragons and Redcliffe Dolphins chasing him.
The 1.88m, 106kg Mangere East Hawks junior came through the Warriors system, playing for the club's U20 and New South Wales Cup sides, before moving to Australia in 2017.
"We're absolutely thrilled to sign Marata on a long-term deal," says Warriors chief executive Cameron George.
"We had him marked down as one of our key recruitment targets once we were able to go to the market for players off contract after the 2022 season.
"His home is Auckland, he knows our club really well and he's now a well-established first-grader, who's going to be a key player for us. He's a really big part of our long-term future through to 2026."
A Junior Kiwi in 2015 and 2016, Niukore made 42 NYC appearances for the Junior Warriors from 2014-16, as well as 15 games for the club's New South Wales Cup side. He played in three NRL trials for the Warriors in the 2015 and 2016 pre-seasons.
The Warriors have several key players coming off contract after the 2022 season, including young playmaker Chanel Harris-Tavita, who is a reported target of the Dolphins.
Hooker Wayde Egan, outside back Marcelo Montoya, forward Jake Murchie and former Brisbane Broncos halfback Kodi Nikorima are also in the final year of their deals.
