Stefano Utoikamanu leaves Wests Tigers for Melbourne Storm in ...

Stefano Utoikamanu has revealed he will play with Melbourne Storm next season.

The star forward signed a three-year deal with the club, following 73 appearances with Wests Tigers and Parramatta.

Utoikamanu said the decision to leave was the hardest of his NRL career, but that he was doing what was best for him and his family.

Stefano Utoikamanu will join the Melbourne Storm next season having signed a three-year deal with the club. 

Rated one of the best young forwards in the competition, Utoikamanu shunned interest from 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.

Speaking before his new contract was announced, Utoikamanu said choosing to leave Wests Tigers was the hardest decision of his NRL career and that deliberating his future has "stuffed up" his 2024 season.

"It's less about winning a comp and more about me getting to a new club and developing as a player," Utoikamanu said after Thursday's 48-30 loss to North Queensland.

"I know I've developed a fair bit here, but I feel like I have a lot more to give.

"I thought it was just the best decision for me and my family to leave now. It's pretty upsetting but it is what it is.

"I love this club and everyone in it and I love all the boys and all the coaches so it was probably the hardest decision I've had to make in my career so far."

Signed under the previous administration, Utoikamanu's Tigers contract had featured a clause that allowed him to test the market if the club missed finals, or he did not play two games for NSW this season.

That fine print proved a poisoned chalice for Utoikamanu, whose future became a talking point before the 2024 season had even begun.

The mild-mannered Utoikamanu admitted the scrutiny had been difficult to handle, and detrimental to his form. 

Since being officially granted permission to test the market in late June, Utoikamanu has run for more than 100 metres in only two of six games.

AAP