The Warriors have confirmed the signing of Melbourne Storm forward Ryan Hoffman on a three-year deal until the end of the 2017 NRL season.
The five-Test Kangaroo and current NSW State of Origin second-rower will become the Warriors' most experienced player when he joins the club at the end of the 2014 campaign.
Hoffman, 30, has played in four of the Storm's five grand finals in the last eight seasons and missed the fifth in 2008 through injury.
He was also part of Wigan's Challenge Cup triumph in 2011 following a season with the English Super League club.
His 229 appearances for Melbourne are the fifth most by any Storm player.
"I've had a terrific time with Melbourne and obviously I still have a long way to go before I finish here. That's the immediate focus for me. I want to finish well because this club has done so much for me," he said.
"But along with my family, I'm excited about coming to the Warriors. I've been really impressed with the club and the way they have gone about the process."
Hoffman says he has tasted first-hand the potential of the Warriors in a couple of heavy losses to the Auckland-based club.
Warriors acting head coach Andrew McFadden and Hoffman were briefly teammates at the Storm in 2003 and 2004 as McFadden was ending his playing career and Hoffman was starting his.
McFadden says Hoffman's ability stood out as a youngster and his career had matched that potential.
"He's a great professional who has performed exceptionally at the highest levels in the game and on big occasions.
"He knows what it takes to succeed and will bring fantastic qualities to the Warriors."
Warriors general manager Dean Bell says Hoffman's signing ranked as one of the most significant in the club's history.
Everybody associated with him had spoken highly of his on and off-field importance, Bell said, including his former teammates at Wigan and current Warriors Sam Tomkins and Thomas Leuluai.
The specialist left-edge back rower is among the most prolific tryscoring forwards in the NRL with 56.
Hoffman lived two years in New Zealand as a child when his father was transferred to Wellington for work.
His father Jay is a former Canberra Raiders hooker who represented Queensland in the pre-State of Origin era.
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