Mason Lino has cut ties with the Warriors and signed a two-year NRL deal with the Newcastle Knights.
Samoan international halfback Lino was granted a release from the final year of his Warriors contract and has taken up an offer from Knights coach Nathan Brown, who opened negotiations with him in Auckland this month.
Knights recruitment boss Troy Pezet said Lino's ability to play at halfback and five-eighth gives the club much-needed depth, having lost the services of Jack Cogger and Brock Lamb to rival clubs.
"Mason is a talented young man," Pezet said.
"He provides us with good depth for Mitchell (Pearce), Kalyn (Ponga) and Connor (Watson)."
The nuggety Lino, 24, is a former Warriors youth player who notched 17 first grade games across three seasons, including eight this year.
He filled in for both Shaun Johnson and Blake Green this season when either of the starting pair were injured and acquitted himself well.
Warriors general manager Brian Smith said it was a difficult decision to release Lino, who is a popular figure at the Auckland outfit.
"He is the epitome of a true club man and we all love having him around," Smith said.
"He has been totally dedicated to the Warriors but we didn't want to stand in the way of him having a look at options with other clubs.
"His opportunities for NRL football have been limited here and he has more than earned the right to look at the chance of more regular exposure."
The Warriors are expected to make an announcement soon on the status of their veteran Kiwis hooker Issac Luke, who has also been linked with a move to Newcastle.
It has been reported Luke is considering a modest one-year deal from the Warriors.
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