Dylan Walker has signed a three-year contract with the Warriors and will leave the Manly Sea Eagles at the end of the 2022 season.
Walker, who won a premiership with South Sydney in 2014, has been with the Sea Eagles since 2016 and has mostly played off the bench.
The Daily Telegraph’s Dean Ritchie says that Walker was protecting his future and wanted a long-term contract that Manly couldn’t offer.
“Dylan has been offered a three-year deal by the Warriors and that secures his future for the next four years,” Ritchie said on SENZ.
“Dylan Walker is a class player, he’s played Origin, won a premiership and was a big part of that Manly side that made the preliminary final.
“He’s achieved everything in rugby league.
“(For Manly), it didn’t come down to ability, commitment or dedication.
“It purely came down to salary cap.”
Ritchie says the Warriors have acquired the 27-year-old as insurance in the case that Reece Walsh leaves the club.
Ritchie believes it is only a matter of time before Walsh joins expansion club the Dolphins.
“From all the mail that I’m getting through rugby league, it’s an inevitable move,” Ritchie added.
“It just depends on when it will happen.
“Whether it’s after this year or the following year.”
The positive for the Warriors is that Walker is a genuine utility who will provide valuable in all areas of the park.
“He can play six, he can play in the centres, he can play fullback and he can also play in that utility role off the bench,” he added.
“He’ll be a terrific buy for the Warriors. No doubt about it.”