LeagueNews.co | Jason Patrick
In a surprising move reminiscent of a last-minute try, the New Zealand Warriors have officially bid farewell to Marcelo Montoya, releasing him from the final year of his contract in Auckland.
The outside back, a stalwart of Andrew Webster's squad, has been a key player in recent seasons, making an impressive 27 appearances in 2023 as the club charged towards the preliminary final.
This year, he continued to shine, adding another 19 games to his tally.
Having donned the Warriors jersey for a total of 82 games since his arrival from the Canterbury Bulldogs in 2021, Montoya leaves behind a legacy of 30 tries scored.
However, with a new generation of talent emerging in New Zealand and salary cap constraints looming, the Warriors have seen fit to part ways with the dynamic player.
Rumours swirling like a high ball in the air suggest that Montoya may be returning to his roots at the Bulldogs, where he originally made a name for himself with an impressive 19 tries in his first 54 games between 2017 and 2020.
As he embarks on this new chapter in his career, fans will no doubt be eagerly anticipating his next move on the field.