Tigers prop Utoikamanu signs with Melbourne Storm

Melbourne have signed want-away Wests Tigers prop Stefano Utoikamanu, bringing an end to one of the NRL season’s biggest contract sagas.

Rated one of the best young forwards in the competition, Utoikamanu shunned interest from resurgent Canterbury to sign a three-year deal with the Storm that will begin in 2025.

The signing comes only days after the one-time NSW representative delivered a seismic blow to the rebuilding Tigers by rejecting their five-year contract offer.

Utoikamanu is Melbourne’s first significant middle forward signing since the club lost premiership winners Jesse Bromwich, Dale Finucane and Brandon Smith at the end of the 2022 season.