2022 will be Marata Niukore’s final year at the Parramatta Eels with the utility set to head home to the New Zealand Warriors from 2023.
With 77 NRL games to his name to date, Niukore will sign a four-year deal from 2023.
Since debuting in 2018, Niukore has found success as an impact bench player and a surprisingly strong stint at centre in 2021.
Warriors CEO Cameron George said the club had identified Niukore as a key signing during the off-season.
“We’re absolutely thrilled to sign Marata on a long-term deal,” said Cameron George.
“We had him marked down as one of our key recruitment targets once we were able to go to the market for players off contract after the 2022 season.
“His home is Auckland, he knows our club really well and he’s now a well-established first-grader who’s going to be a key player for us. He’s a really big part of our long-term future through to 2026.”
Warriors coach Nathan Brown also knows how crucial Niukore’s signing is and looks forward to his tenure at the club from 2023.
“Marata has developed into a high-quality second-rower who’ll bring so much to our squad,” said Brown.
“We’ve been keeping a close eye on him and have been really impressed with the way he has developed his all-round game.
“It’ll be great to have him on our roster from 2023.”
