Manu Vatuvei

Vatuvei departed the Warriors last week after 13 years with the Auckland-based NRL club, and has already arrived in the north of England to join his new Super League side.

The 31-year-old Vatuvei only played once for the Warriors this season due to calf and knee injuries, but was keen to get started with Salford.

"I want to make sure I do everything as best as I can for the new club," Vatuvei said. "I don't want to come here and not perform and not do my job."

Vatuvei on Monday confirmed he had been granted an early release to join Super League club Salford, with the 31-year-old due to depart for the UK on Sunday.

For one night only, Mt Smart has been temporarily renamed 'Manu Vatuvei Stadium' and while his new contract prevented from playing one last game for the Auckland club, his soon-to-be ex-teammates formed a guard of honour as 'The Beast' walked onto the field with his family wearing the No 5 jersey he has held a mortgage on for more than a decade. He shed a few tears as he walked out to the rapturous applause.

The desire to keep playing at the top level still burns bright for Manu Vatuvei but the departing Warriors star admits the mental strain of the past 12 months has left him ready for a fresh start.

After 13 years and 226 games at the club, Vatuvei confirmed on Monday that he would be leaving Mt Smart for Salford in the UK this week after being granted an early release from his contract.

Long-serving Warriors winger Manu Vatuvei has been released from his contract and will link up with Salford in the English Super League.

The iconic try-scorer was originally contracted until the end of the 2018 NRL season but asked the Warriors for an early release in order to join Salford.

British media reported last week that a deal had been done between Vatuvei and Salford, who are owned by businessman and racehorse owner Marwan Koukash, are second on the Super League table.

The Red Devils, who are through to their first semi-final for 19 years, are thought to have agreed a deal to sign former Kiwis Test winger Vatuvei - nicknamed 'The Beast' - from the New Zealand Warriors.

It is understood Salford are waiting for the 31-year-old to receive his visa before announcing the signing.

However, they hope to have him in the country in time to make his Super League debut against Leigh on July 21, a week before they play Wigan for a place at Wembley.

With the 31-year-old having fallen behind Ken Maumalo, David Fusitu'a and rookie Charnze Nicoll-Klokstad in the race for a wing spot in the first-grade side, there have been suggestions that Vatuvei could bring his 226 games worth of experience to the pack as an impact forward off the bench.

Still without experienced prop Ben Matulino due to injury, and with his forwards having struggled at times to assert themselves in contests against the Knights and Storm, Kearney's inclusion of the 109kg Vatuvei effectively gives the Warriors another middle forward to lean on early in tackle counts.

Meanwhile former captain Simon Mannering will make his 261st career appearance to draw level with the great Stacey Jones - and current assistant coach - for the most games for the club.

And Vatuvei, the club's try-scoring record holder, will make his first NRL appearance of the season - and the 226th of his career - after turning out in the second team in the first two rounds this year.

After more than a month since his last NRL Telstra Premiership appearance – spent on medical leave following his punishment for failing to meet team standards – the 216-game veteran was back to help the Kiwi side produce their best performance of the year in a 36-18 victory over Brisbane.

After the win coach Andrew McFadden paid tribute to the hulking winger, while Shaun Johnson, Tuimoala Lolohea, Solomone Kata and captain Ryan Hoffman all joined him in showing their admiration for Vatuvei.

In a statement Warriors managing director Jim Doyle says following medical advice Vatuvei has been placed on leave and the club is continuing to focus on the welfare of the other five players who were disciplined in the wake of the loss to Melbourne last week.