Warriors winger Marcelo Montoya is set to leave the club and return to Australia. The Warriors announced on Friday that the 28-year-old, who served as captain in a preseason game earlier this year, has been released from the final year of his contract after joining the club in 2021.
Andrew McFadden, the Warriors’ general manager of recruitment, pathways, and development, expressed support for Montoya’s decision, stating, “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.”
It is widely believed that Montoya will rejoin his former team, the Canterbury-Bankstown Bulldogs. Recent reports suggest that the Bulldogs are looking to replace Josh Addo-Carr, following a drug scandal that has allowed Addo-Carr to leave the club.
During his previous stint with the Bulldogs, Montoya scored 19 tries in 54 games from 2017 to 2020. McFadden praised Montoya, saying, “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, The Montoyas, which has been compared to Keeping Up with the Kardashians and Modern Family, will continue after their move from Auckland.
In his time with the Warriors, Montoya scored 30 tries in 82 appearances, playing in all 27 games in 2023. His exit means the club has now seen at least three key players depart this season, joining Shaun Johnson and Addin Fonua-Blake.