EXCLUSIVE: Storm legend Billy Slater backs decision to sign 'wonderful' Stefano Utoikamanu

Stefano Utoikamanu's move to the Storm has been given the tick of approval by one of the club's all-time greats, Billy Slater.

After weeks of speculation, the 24-year-old put pen to paper on a long-term deal with Melbourne, knocking back offers from the Bulldogs and his current club, Wests Tigers.

Utoikamanu is regarded as one of the best props in the competition and will join a pack that already includes experienced forwards Nelson Asofa-Solomona, Christian Welch and Tui Kamikamica next season.

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However, according to Slater, the club had never fully replaced the hole left by Felise Kaufusi and the Bromwich brothers when the premiership winners joined the Dolphins - and now it's up to Utoikamanu to fill that void.

"Wow, what a signing that is," he said on Nine's Billy Slater Podcast.

"I know the Storm have been chasing a big front-row signing for a while now after losing Jesse Bromwich, Kenny Bromwich and Felise Kaufusi in the last few years.

"They've done wonderfully well bringing these younger guys through. Josh King has done a fantastic job, Tui Kamikamica has come into a leadership role … there have been a number of players that have filled in these positions.

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"But the signing of a top-line young front-rower like Stefano Utoikamanu, that is a wonderful signing. You look at guys like Eli Katoa and Josh King and the elevation of their careers under Craig Bellamy - it's pretty exciting where Stefano can take his game.

"Obviously he wasn't happy at the Tigers and it's unfortunate for the Tigers to lose a quality player like that. It's a huge signing for the Melbourne Storm."

Utoikamanu's addition will give the Storm a long-term middle forward who has the potential to add to his one State of Origin appearance from last year.

His ambitions to play finals football - which hasn't happened at the Tigers in over a decade - will also be more of a possibility in the Melbourne system.

Asofa-Solomona and Katoa are both signed until the end of 2027, while the likes of King and Welch come off-contract at the end of next season.