Warrington Wolves have announced Ben Murdoch-Masila will leave the club at the end of the 2020 season to return to the NRL with New Zealand Warriors.

The Tonga international joined the Wire in 2018 and has since made 60 appearances, scoring 19 tries and helping the club win the Challenge Cup in 2019.

Murdoch-Masila expressed his gratitude to the Super League side for their support but said the opportunity to take his family back to the Southern Hemisphere was too good to pass up.

He previously played for Wests Tigers and Penrith Panthers before initially moving to England with Salford Red Devils.

"I will definitely miss the boys," the 29-year-old forward told Warrington's official website. "I will miss the fans, too, and the atmosphere they create for us; it is unreal, the passion they share with us in the good and bad times.

"I've always left the door open for the opportunity of an NRL comeback, though. My daughter has spent her life here and all she knows is the Wire. When this opportunity came around, I couldn't say no to taking her home.

"I want to thank all at the club for what they have done for not only me but for my wife and daughter, too. I will do whatever it takes to help repay what the Wire has done for me and do my best for the remainder of the year."

Head coach Steve Price added: "Ben and I have been in regular dialogue with regards to the attention he has had from back home.

"We felt we put a good offer as a club to Ben, but he felt it was time to go back to be closer to his family, which I fully understand."