Highly-regarded Todd Payten has been signed by the Vodafone Warriors as an NRL assistant coach from next season.

The 39-year-old current North Queensland assistant coach will move to Mount Smart Stadium on a three-year contract replacing Andrew McFadden, who is returning home to Canberra at the end of the season after six years with the Vodafone Warriors.

“Todd’s a young coach who has made a great impression and we’re really excited about having him on board from next season,” said Vodafone Warriors head coach Stephen Kearney.

We’ve been extremely fortunate to secure Todd Stephen Kearney Vodafone Warriors head coach

“While replacing Cappy wasn’t going to be easy after the wonderful contribution he has made to our club, we’ve been extremely fortunate to secure Todd.

“After a long playing career, he moved straight into coaching and has quickly established himself at NRL level.”

Vodafone Warriors general manager football Brian Smith was also thrilled with Payten’s signing.

“Todd has served a great apprenticeship as a player and coach at very good clubs and has experienced grand final success as both a player and a coach,” he said.

“He’ll provide great support to Stephen alongside Stacey (Jones) and Tony (Iro).”

He’ll provide great support to Stephen alongside Stacey and Tony Brian Smith Vodafone Warriors general manager football

Following a total of 259 appearances with Canberra, Sydney Roosters and Wests Tigers, front rower Payten was forced into retirement by injury at the end of the 2011 season.

He finished with a grand final winner’s medal when the Tigers beat North Queensland 30-16 in the 2005 grand final.

Payten moved straight into coaching, taking charge of the Tigers’ NYC team in 2012 and guiding the club to title success in the 2013 grand final. He also coached the New South Wales under-18s to victory over Queensland that season and again in 2014, when he had progressed to become an NRL assistant coach at Wests Tigers.

In 2015 he joined the Cowboys as their NYC head coach and was also Paul Green’s NRL assistant coach, savouring North Queensland’s maiden grand final win over Brisbane.

TODD PAYTEN

Born: January 18, 1979

Birthplace: Sydney, NSW

Coaching Career:

North Queensland NRL assistant coach 2015-2018

North Queensland NYC head coach 2015

Wests Tigers NRL assistant coach 2014

Wests Tigers NYC head coach 2012-2013

New South Wales Under-18 coach 2013-2014

NRL Playing Career: 259 first-grade games 1996-2011

Canberra: 90 games 1996-2002

Sydney Roosters: 18 games 2003

Wests Tigers: 151 games 2004-2011