Stefano Utoikamanu is poised to become Craig Bellamy’s latest success story after the highly-rated Wests Tigers prop signed with Melbourne for 2025.
One of the NRL season’s longest contract sagas drew to a close on Friday as Utoikamanu shunned interest from Canterbury to relocate to the Storm on a three-year deal.
The signing comes only days after the one-time NSW representative delivered a seismic blow to the struggling Tigers by rejecting their five-year contract offer.
Rated among the NRL’s most promising forwards, Utoikamanu had begun the season in excellent form and appeared a pillar around whom Benji Marshall’s side could continue to build.
Instead, he has become ladder-leading Melbourne’s most significant middle-forward signing since the club’s last premiership victory in 2020.
“Stefano is an exciting young forward and also an impressive young man,” said Storm general manager of football Frank Ponissi.
“I’m sure he’s going to come with a working hard attitude.”
Utoikamanu is the second Tiger to join the Storm in as many seasons after Shawn Blore signed in a player swap for Justin Olam this year.
