Sad News:Turuva informs his Penrith teammates, “I’m off to the Tigers.”

Sunia Turuva has informed his Penrith teammates that he will be departing the club at the conclusion of this season to join Jarome Luai at Wests Tigers in 2025.

Sources have disclosed to AAP that Turuva addressed Penrith’s playing group on Thursday morning, revealing his decision to leave the NRL club and sign a three-year contract with the Tigers.

Turuva will join a growing list of high-profile Panthers making the move to the Tigers, following the arrivals of Apisai Koroisau last year and Luai’s impending move in 2025.

Former Penrith players Brent Naden and Charlie Staines are also among those who have transitioned to the joint-venture club.

Turuva had expressed his desire last month to remain at Penrith, where he earned the NRL’s rookie of the year award last season during the club’s premiership campaign.

“I want to continue being part of this team. It’s a special group we have here, regardless of who wears the jersey,”

Turuva stated previously. “I simply want to be associated with this club. I’ve entrusted my manager and Penrith to

handle all negotiations. But as I’ve mentioned before, Penrith feels like home. This is where I want to be.”

However, the Panthers were unable to match the financial offers Turuva

received elsewhere, as they remained firm on their offer of $350,000 per year to retain him as a winger.

Although Turuva primarily played as a fullback in his youth, it is expected that he will continue in his role as a winger at

the Tigers, especially with rising star Jahream Bula likely to occupy the No.1 position.

Turuva’s move to the Tigers signifies a missed opportunity for St George Illawarra, who had met with the 21-year-old earlier this month. With Zac Lomax

set to depart the Red V at the end of the season, Turuva had been considered as a potential replacement on the Dragons’ wing.

Turuva currently shares the NRL’s top try-scorer position after the first seven rounds, having scored eight tries in six games. In his rookie season in 2023, he scored 12 tries.

Get related article>>>>https://kvibezsport.co.uk/?p=13397&preview=true