Cronulla Sharks beat rival clubs to secure Addin Fonua-Blake on four-year contract
The Cronulla Sharks have beaten a number of rivals to sign in demand prop Addin Fonua-Blake.
Fonua-Blake had requested a release from the Warriors, but will play with the club this coming season before moving on to the Sharks.
The 28-year-old has signed with Cronulla on a four-year deal, which has stunned the NRL, with many believing the Dragons were odds-on favourites to sign the wantaway star.
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The Bulldogs had also met with Fonua-Blake while the Tigers withdrew their offer last week when Shane Richardson was appointed interim chief executive officer.
Warriors star Addin Fonua-Blake. Getty
"Addin is a world class front rower and we are delighted to be adding him to our roster from 2025," Sharks coach Craig Fitzgibbon said.
"Throughout the negotiation process we have been impressed by his attitude, his genuine desire to help make the Sharks successful and to complement and work alongside both those in our leadership group and the young forwards we have coming through our system.
"As Dally M Front Rower of the Year and on the back of a couple of outstanding seasons, everyone has seen what he is capable of and we look forward to Addin playing a major role for us here at the Sharks."
Fonua-Blake played his junior rugby league with the Dragons, having been part of the National Youth Competition team of the year in 2014.
He went on to make his NRL debut for Manly in 2016 before playing at the Warriors and representing New Zealand and Tonga.
