New Zealand Warriors forward Ben Murdoch-Masila has been granted a release.
The news comes after it was reported that he would be returning to Super League with L’Independant reporting that Catalans Dragons were close to signing him.
The 31-year-old Tongan international was off contract at the end of 2023, the third and final year of his deal since joining the club from the Super League.
Injuries have limited him to 27 of a possible 48 matches in the last two seasons, 16 in 2021 and 11 this year.
“While we were keen for Ben to remain with us for the full term of his contract we weren’t in a position right now to offer a further contract beyond this,” said New Zealand Warriors CEO Cameron George.
“At the same time another club offered him a longer-term deal giving him the security he was looking for.
“We’ve loved having Ben and Roxy around our club and we really appreciate the contribution they’ve made. They go with our best wishes.”
After making 58 NRL appearances for Wests Tigers and Penrith from 2010-2014, Auckland-born Masila-Murdoch spent five seasons in the Super League with Salford Red Devils and Warrington Wolves before joining the New Zealand Warriors in 2021.
Whilst in Super League he helped Salford to a strong 2017 campaign prior to playing in the Challenge Cup Final with Warrington regarded as one of the most dangerous forwards in the league.
