Warriors winger Marcelo Montoya is set to leave the club and return to Australia. The announcement was made on Friday, confirming that the 28-year-old, who served as captain in a preseason match earlier this year, has been allowed to exit the final year of his contract after joining the Warriors in 2021.
“We were happy for Marcelo to see out his contract with us but we’re really pleased he has found a club back in Australia giving him longer-term security,” said Andrew McFadden, the Warriors’ general manager of recruitment, pathways, and development.
It is widely speculated that Montoya’s new club will be the Canterbury-Bankstown Bulldogs, his previous team. Reports indicate the Bulldogs are seeking to replace Josh Addo-Carr, who has become entangled in a recent drug scandal and has received permission to leave the club.
During his time with the Bulldogs from 2017 to 2020, Montoya scored 19 tries across 54 games. His contributions to the Warriors have also been significant, with Montoya netting 30 tries in 82 appearances, including all 27 matches in 2023.
McFadden praised Montoya, stating, “He has been a terrific person to have at our club for the last four seasons. He made a major contribution on and off the field, and we wish him and his wife, Tayla, all the best for their future.”
It remains uncertain whether the couple’s podcast, titled “The Montoyas,” which is described as a mix of “Keeping Up with the Kardashians” and “Modern Family,” will continue after their exit from Auckland.
Montoya’s departure adds to the Warriors’ roster changes, with at least three first-choice players leaving the team from this season, joining Shaun Johnson and Addin Fonua-Blake.