Long-serving Warriors winger Manu Vatuvei has been released from his contract and will link up with Salford in the English Super League.

The iconic try-scorer was originally contracted until the end of the 2018 NRL season but asked the Warriors for an early release in order to join Salford and experience playing in Europe.

A fan favourite at Mt Smart Stadium for well over a decade, Vatuvei has been restricted to just one NRL appearance in 2017 due to a number of injuries.

"Manu is a club legend," Warriors managing director Jim Doyle said.

"We didn’t make this decision lightly but after years of fantastic service to the Vodafone Warriors, he’s decided the time is right to head overseas and we didn’t want to stand in his way.

"We wish him all the best for his future and while he will soon be lining up for Salford, he’ll always be a Warrior in our eyes."

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