Winger Marcelo Montoya is set to leave the Warriors and return to Australia. The club announced on Friday that the 28-year-old, who captained the team during a preseason match earlier this year, has been granted a release from the final year of his contract, having joined the Warriors in 2021.
Warriors general manager for recruitment, pathways, and development, Andrew McFadden, expressed satisfaction with Montoya’s decision: “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.”
Montoya is believed to be heading back to the Canterbury-Bankstown Bulldogs, his former team. Recent reports indicate that the Bulldogs are looking to replace Josh Addo-Carr, who has been given permission to leave the club following a recent drug scandal.
During his time with the Bulldogs, Montoya scored 19 tries in 54 appearances from 2017 to 2020. McFadden acknowledged Montoya’s contributions, 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 unclear if the couple’s podcast, “The Montoyas,” which has been likened to “Keeping Up with the Kardashians” combined with “Modern Family,” will continue following their move from Auckland.
In his tenure with the Warriors, Montoya scored 30 tries across 82 appearances, including all 27 games this season. His departure marks a significant turnover for the club, with at least three key players leaving, including Shaun Johnson and Addin Fonua-Blake.