Stefano Utoikamanu says choosing to leave Wests Tigers was the hardest decision of his NRL career and feels deliberating over his future has "stuffed up" his 2024 season.
The one-time NSW prop this week rejected the Tigers' offer of a five-year contract extension and will instead depart the struggling joint venture at the end of the year.
Utoikamanu's move to either Canterbury or Melbourne is set to be finalised within days in a bitter blow to a Tigers side who had hoped to continue rebuilding around the talented 24-year-old.
The ladder-leading Storm and resurgent Bulldogs are better-placed for sustained success than the 17th-placed Tigers, who risk collecting a third consecutive wooden spoon in 2024.
But speaking for the first time since making his "upsetting" decision, Utoikamanu said leaving Wests was more about personal growth than premiership aspirations.
"It's less about winning a comp and more about me getting to a new club and developing as a player," Utoikamanu said after Thursday's 48-30 loss to North Queensland.
"I know I've developed a fair bit here, but I feel like I have a lot more to give.
"I thought it was just the best decision for me and my family to leave now. It's pretty upsetting but it is what it is.
Stefano Utoikamanu's decision to leave Tigers has strained his relationship with some supporters. (Mark Evans/AAP PHOTOS)
"I love this club and everyone in it and I love all the boys and all the coaches so it was probably the hardest decision I've had to make in my career so far."
Signed under the previous administration, Utoikamanu's Tigers contract had featured a clause that allowed him to test the market if the club missed finals, or he did not play two games for NSW this season.
But the fine print proved a poisoned chalice for Utoikamanu, whose future became a talking point before the 2024 season had even begun.
The mild-mannered Utoikamanu admitted the scrutiny had been difficult to handle, and detrimental to his form. Since being officially granted permission to test the market in late June, Utoikamanu has run for more than 100 metres in only two of six games.
"I'm not used to seeing my name in the media 24/7. It's good, but it's made it hard for me to find my stride in my footy. It's definitely been tough," he said.
"It's a pretty weird situation I'm in and it's not ideal that I had to make a decision on where I want to go during the season.Â
"I feel like that's kind of stuffed up my season a bit."
Pockets of the Leichhardt Oval crowd booed Utoikamanu during Thursday night's loss to the Cowboys, most notably during the team announcement and his first run of the evening.
But Utoikamanu bore no grudge toward his detractors as he looked to the future.
"I was probably expecting a bit more (booing) but tonight was a bit quieter than what (the crowd) would normally be on a Saturday or Sunday. That was probably good for me,' he said.
"Wherever I go next, I know that I'm going there as a fresh face. I think change is going to be good for me. Wherever I go next, I think I'm going to thrive."