The Tigers are set to grant Tui Lolohea an early release to pave way for a move to the Super League just a fortnight after Bulldogs recruit Moses Mbye made his club debut at fullback.
Lolohea - who still has a year remaining on his NRL contract - headlines a group of NRL talent making the jump overseas alongside Warrington-bound Blake Austin.
League Express reports Lolohea has been earmarked as a five-eighth - a position he starred in for Tonga - and is expected to sign with one of England’s top five clubs.
He isn’t the only Tiger to pack their bags, following Kevin Naiqama out the door after the centre signed a multi-year deal with St Helens to put months of speculation to rest.
Lolohea joined Ivan Cleary’s bus midway through the 2017 season after falling down the pecking order in New Zealand, partnering Luke Brooks in the halves before Benji Marshall and Josh Reynolds arrived.
Starting the year at fullback, the Tongan international has since been in and out of first grade, playing just six games in 2018 with his last appearance coming in Round 14.
Mbye’s signing all but confirmed Lolohea’s position at the club, mainly featuring in fourth-placed NSW Cup side Western Suburbs Magpies.
The club stocked up on outside backs over the pre-season, adding exciting duo Mahe Fonua and Corey Thompson to their starting line-up.
At just 23 years of age, Lolohea has covered a number of positions in the halves and edges, racking up 71 first grade appearances along with seven caps for Tonga and one appearance for the Kiwis.
