Vuna leaves New Zealand to join Newcastle

Winger Cooper Vuna has joined the Newcastle Knights after being released by the New Zealand Warriors today.

The 19-year-old made just five appearances for the Warriors since becoming the club's youngest first-grade player in 2004. Vuna was due to be off-contract at the end of the year but Warriors chief executive Wayne Scurrah says he had asked for a release.

Vuna's last first-grade appearance was off the bench in the round 23 encounter with North Queensland in Auckland last August.