The Cronulla Sharks say Samoan international centre Ricky Leutele will join the Toronto Wolfpack next season.
The Australian-born Leutele has played 114 National Rugby League games since making his Sharks debut in 2010. Cronulla says Leutele has signed a three-year deal with Toronto.
“It was a hard decision,” Leutele was quoted on the Cronulla website. “Toronto came from left field with their offer and the wife and I had a long night talking about it. I had to make the decision for my family.
“The boys were all happy for me and they wished me well. I just want to finish this year strong and get to where we were in 2016 (when Cronulla won the NRL title).”
Wolfpack coach Paul Rowley declined comment Thursday when asked about the signing, saying the club had not made an announcement yet.
Toronto, rugby league’s only transatlantic team, currently leads England’s second-tier Betfred Championship with a 12-1-1 record. The club won promotion out of the third-tier League 1 in its inaugural season last year and has its sights set next on climbing into the elite Super League.
The 28-year-old Leutele would be a handy addition for life in England’s top tier.
Leutele has scored 28 tries for the Sharks, endearing himself to Cronulla fans by helping make the final tackle in the 2016 Grand Final to stave off one last Melbourne Storm attack near the Sharks’ goal-line in a 14-12 win.
“Ricky has been a quality player for a long period of time,” said Cronulla coach Shane Flanagan. “He’s a very underrated player but someone highly valued within our group.”
Former NRL players already on the Wolfpack roster include captain Josh McCrone, vice-captain Ashton Sims, Corey Paterson and Chase Stanley.