Ofahengaue seals Tigers deal, Aloiai to Manly

The Wests Tigers have confirmed the signing of former Queensland forward Joe Ofahengaue while former Tigers prop Josh Aloiai has joined Manly and Dale Copley returned to Brisbane.

Having on Friday updated his social media profile to describe himself as "ex Brisbane Bronco Player #212", Ofahengaue officially made the move to the Tigers on a three-year deal on Sunday.

The move comes as the Tigers ended an impasse with prop Josh Aloiai, who joined Manly on Sunday on his own three-year deal.

Both Ofahengaue and Aloiai were released from their existing contracts by the Broncos and Wests Tigers respectively, with the Tigers confirming they had received an "undisclosed commercial settlement" from the Sea Eagles.

Brisbane are also likely to replace Ofahengaue with versatile former North Queensland forward John Asiata, who is unsigned and has been linked with a number of clubs for next season.

The Broncos announced on Sunday that Copley had signed a one-year deal to re-join the club after stints with Sydney Roosters and Gold Coast Titans.

Former Papua New Guinea captain David Mead is also in negotiations with Brisbane after completing a stint at Catalans, while ex-Cronulla and Gold Coast playmaker Albert Kelly is on a train-and-trial contract after gaining a release from Hull FC.

The Tigers last week signed former NSW centre James Roberts on a one-year contract with the option of a second year – a low risk deal that could prove to be a bargain if he regains the form that earned his Origin selection in 2018.

Another former Blues star James Tamou, who captained Penrith to the minor premiership and a grand final appearance, is the Tigers' main recruit and the club has also signed highly rated young Parramatta forward Stefano Utoikamanu.​