WINGER GONE: Bill Tupou has left the Warriors with immediate effect and has signed for the Canberra Raiders.

Bill Tupou has left the Warriors with immediate effect and has signed for the Canberra Raiders.

The 22-year-old winger has played 62 games for the Warriors since making his debut against the Sea Eagles in round four of the 2010 season, but will leave the club on a two and a half year deal with the Raiders.

Last year Tupou signed a new deal with the Warriors for this season and next, plus an option for the 2015 campaign with the Auckland side.

He was a regular starter in the early part of the season but hasn't played first grade since round 10, with Warriors coach Matt Elliott preferring Glen Fisiiahi or Ngani Laumape ahead of him.

The Warriors agreed to give him an early release to his contract and both the Raiders and Eels were quick to offer him a contract.

Both options were of interest. Eels coach Ricky Stuart is rebuilding his Eels side for next season and Tupou would have been a key part of that, but at the Raiders he'll go into a team that's already competitive and looking good for a place in the top eight this season.

With the Raiders' big wing Edrick Lee not due back until round 24 because of a broken arm, Tupou is likely to be rushed straight into their starting team and may even play for them against the Rabbitohs on Friday night if the registration paperwork is completed at the NRL in time.

Tupou needs game time to increase his chances of making it into the Kiwis World Cup squad later this year.

The former Junior Kiwi had been with the Warriors throughout his career. In 2008 he scored 14 tries in 19 games in the newly formed Toyota Cup and scored the same number of tries in two fewer games the following campaign.

He leaves the Warriors with a record of scoring 19 tries in 62 games.