Warriors winger Marcelo Montoya is set to leave the club and return to Australia. The club announced on Friday that the 28-year-old, who had captained the team in a preseason match earlier this year, has received a release from the final year of his contract after joining the Warriors in 2021.
Andrew McFadden, the Warriors’ general manager of recruitment, pathways, and development, expressed satisfaction with Montoya’s decision to secure a longer-term position at a different club in Australia. It is widely believed that Montoya will rejoin his former team, the Canterbury-Bankstown Bulldogs. Reports indicate that the Bulldogs are looking to fill the vacancy left by Josh Addo-Carr, who has been granted permission to depart the club following a recent drug scandal.
During his earlier tenure with the Bulldogs from 2017 to 2020, Montoya scored a total of 19 tries over 54 games. 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 their podcast, titled “The Montoyas,” which has been likened to a mix of “Keeping Up with the Kardashians” and “Modern Family,” will continue following his move from Auckland.
Montoya has scored 30 tries in 82 appearances for the Warriors, playing all 27 games in the 2023 season. His exit adds to the club’s turnover this season, which now includes at least three first-choice players, alongside Shaun Johnson and Addin Fonua-Blake.