Confirmed.

Twitter feed from LeagueWeek

[urlhttp://www.melbournestorm.com.au/default.aspx?s=article-display&id=39177&title=storm-snare-hoffman[/url

Three year deal.

Hopefully he can go out with CC & GF under his belt.

Gutted, but wish him all the best. Model pro.

Good luck to him.

Disappointed, but not surprised.

Start a petition, he might change his mind!

Thats what persuaded George Carmont to stay................apparently

really thought he was going to stay, he seemed to really enjoying himself over here, still i suppose the lure of a cashed up 3 deal back home overshadowed the meager amount another season here would have provided, if he had been a couple years younger i wonder if he would have stayed

In all seriousness - has been good to see him over here, even though everyone knew full well it was only because of Storm's difficulties and wouldn't be for more than a year.

He could have come over and coasted knowing he was going back to the Storm - but that clearly isn't his style. Cracking player.

He was never, ever going to stay. I wouldn't be surprised if he had already signed a pre-contract with Storm before even coming to Wigan.

Agreed. It's been a pleasure watching him this year - a complete professional.

Would hope some of the younger 2nd Rowers have picked up a few things from training with him too.

Sad to see him go but fair play to him, he's never given anything less than 100% for us.

Hope he returns to the Storm with both a CC Winner's medal & GF Winner's ring.

So much for #onemoreyearryanhoffman

A shame he won't be here longer, but no surprises really.

And it does allow us to use cap money in areas where we will need to strengthen for next year.

Can't wait for the first poster to ask "how long was his contract for?". I have a feeling I know who it might be....

www.sportinglife.com/rugbyleague ... Wigan.html

www.sportinglife.com/rugbyleague ... Wigan.html

Disappointing but would never hold it against him, I give great thanks for him coming over and it’s been a pleasure to watch such a quality player in the Wigan team. Shame he has to go but back row isn’t a position we’re short on numbers so it’s not the worst thing in the world.

Bring in Chris Heighington to replace if possible!

I'm pretty sure it was dependent on whether Adam Blair left. If Blair stayed at Storm I think Hoffman would have remained at Wigan.

Yep - even mentioned in the official Melbourne press release:

Good luck to him there. As people have said he has been the model profesional from start to now and I he will carry that on till the end of the season. All the more reason to win it all this year

I said when he came over here that Melbourne would free up some cap and get him back after this year, too much of a good player for them to lose.

Of course I'm disappointed to see him go. But hopefully now his future is sorted he can get back to his best form from earlier this season.

It does appear as though Blair's departure from the Storm was the final nail in the coffin in regards to Hoffman staying. Had Blair not left to join the Storm we may well have had a different outcome to all this.

Still he's been a great player for us, a real pro. Fingers crossed he can help us achieve the double before he leaves.

Melbourne fans are over the moon.


And now they want Finch as well!

God thing is, he will go to all his team mates and tell them how great it is at Wigan, how the training facilities, stadium, youth system, fans and team are the best in Superleague. I'm sure that could swing a few Melbourne Storm players to play for us rather than anyone else in SL should they fancy coming over.

Realistically I could see Brett White becoming a Wigan player in the not too distant future, a replacement for Fielden, I wouldn't mind that at all.

I think above is about as far from the truth as you can possibly get on this.

He has clearly considered staying and its down to Adam Blair leaving the Storm the opportunity has arisen to return to them.

Sometimes things are as simple and straightforward as they present themselves