Mate Ma’a Tonga’s star playmaker Ata Hingano has been signed on a two-year deal by the Canberra raiders after he was released by the New Zealand Warriors a week ago.

New Zealand Warriors officials revealed to media that they were aware of other club’s interest in Hingano and did not want to “hold back” the 20-year-old from pursuing a better career path.

Hingano's signing has been well received by the Canberra Raider’s team and fans.

Raiders Recruitment and High-Performance Director, Peter Mulholland, said in an NRL press statement: “It was great to see a quality player like Ata Hingano become available,”

“It was great to see a quality player like Ata Hingano become available,” Mullholland said. “He’s performed well in the NRL for the Warriors and internationally for and for Tonga so far in his career and he adds plenty of depth to our spine.”