Warriors star Addin Fonua-Blake has signed with the Cronulla Sharks from the 2025 season onwards after being given an early release by the Warriors.
The 28-year-old middle forward, who was born in Sydney and played his junior football with the Sharks, has signed a four-year deal with the Cronulla-based club.
Fonua-Blake will play the upcoming 2024 season with the Warriors, before being released from the final years of his contract with the New Zealand club and joining the Sharks.
Sharks coach Craig Fitzgibbon was excited to add Fonua-Blake to his forward pack.
"Addin is a world class front rower and we are delighted to be adding him to our roster from 2025,” Fitzgibbon said.
"Throughout the negotiation process we have been impressed by his attitude, his genuine desire to help make the Sharks successful and to complement and work alongside both those in our leadership group and the young forwards we have coming through our system.
"As Dally M Front Rower of the Year and on the back of a couple of outstanding seasons, everyone has seen what he is capable of and we look forward to Addin playing a major role for us here at the Sharks," Fitzgibbon added.
The Warriors confirmed Fonua-Blake's departure on social media this afternoon, but said there was "plenty of mahi to do before then".
Fonua-Blake joined the Warriors from Manly in 2021 and has played 62 games for the club. He played 26 games in the 2023 season, including all three finals matches as the Warriors finished fourth on the table before reaching the preliminary final.
Following his impressive season, Fonua-Blake was named alongside Payne Haas as a front rower in the Dally M Team of the Year.
SHARE ME