Warriors winger Ken Maumalo is leaving the club to join Wests Tigers.
The 26-year-old has agreed terms with the Michael Maguire-coached team after being given permission to talk to other clubs by Warriors management this week and the switch will happen immediately.
Maumalo, who has played 105 games for the Warriors and scored 41 tries, has been out of favour at the club in recent weeks, with the teams coach Nathan Brown preferring to go with speed, rather than size, with his wingers.
He had a contract at the Warriors through to the end of the 2022 season, but once it became apparent that Maumalos place in the starting team wasnt so secure, Maguire, who has been an admirer of the winger since working with him at the Kiwis, made his move.
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Other clubs were interested in Maumalo, but the winger was keen on teaming up with Maguire again.
ANDREW CORNAGA/PHOTOSPORT
Kiwis coach Michael Maguire has long been an admirer of Ken Maumalo.
Maumalo had been working on his fitness in recent weeks, hoping to get back into the Warriors starting team.
It was understandable that he could be left out of the team, to make way for Roger Tuivasa-Sheck on the wing, with Reece Walsh playing at fullback.
But for Sundays game against the Storm, Nathan Brown went with Edward Kosi in the No 5 jersey, rather than Maumalo, which was all the indication anyone needed that Maumalo no longer featured in the clubs long-term plans.
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Maumalo was the Dally M winger of the year in 2019, with 17 tries to his name.
This season, though, the tries havent come as easily. He has scored five tries in 10 games, although three of these were against the Storm in round seven.
Maumalo could have chosen to stay at the Warriors and see out his contract. But for the rest of this season, its clear he would have struggled for game time as Browns preference was to have Tuivasa-Sheck playing regularly on the left wing and Walsh at fullback.
While Maumalo may not be leaving the Warriors the way he wanted to, hell be remembered for his strong carries of the ball, always giving his all and some spectacular tries by the corner flag.
Maguire said Maumalo would add a lot to the squad and was pleased to be working with the talented winger again.
Ive worked closely with Ken over a number of years now at international level and its great to see him now join Wests Tigers, Maguire said.Ken is a great family man, who will fit in well with the squad we have here at Wests Tigers, and I look forward to welcoming him to the club.
Warriors assistant coach Justin Morgan said that Maumalos time at the club will be remembered fondly.
Hes a champion bloke, anyone whos played with him, coached him or been a part of Kens career would say how nice a guy he is, Morgan said.
Thats not even touching on what a great player he is. Hes been a great player for this club for many years and the way he handles himself on and off the field is a credit to him.
He always puts the team first and even over the last couple of weeks when he hasnt been playing, hes come into the team meetings, given advice to younger players and his attitude has been first-class.
Ive loved watching Kens development. He was at the start of his career when he first came to the club back in 2016 and to see him grow into an international player and secure his future and his familys future, Im really pleased for him.

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