Warriors sign scoring star for three-years
- Dave Worsley
- Oct 13
- 3 min read
Gold Coast winger Alofiana Khan-Pereira, who boasts 53 tries in just 54 matches, will join the One New Zealand Warriors on a three-year NRL contract from next season.
The 23-year-old speedster raced to the 50-try mark in just his 52nd career appearance this
season, matching the record for the quickest half century in the NRL era set by Parramatta
winger Semi Radradra early in 2016.
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Making his debut in round one in 2023, he scored 20 tries in 23 matches that season and
was the NRL’s top try scorer in 2024 with 24 in 21 games including a club record four in
Gold Coast’s biggest win in history against the Warriors in a reduced campaign.
“Lofi is an exciting addition to our squad for 2026,” said One New Zealand Warriors general
manager recruitment, pathways and development Andrew McFadden.
“He’s one of the quickest players in the game and has proven try-scoring ability in the short
time he has played in the NRL.”
In his 10 outings this season he averaged 137 metres a game, made 21 tackle breaks and
11 line breaks with two try assists.
“Speed is one the greatest commodities in rugby league and Lofi has no shortage of that,”
said Warriors head coach Andrew Webster.
“We saw first-hand how damaging he is as a finisher when the Titans beat us in Robina last
year. We love what he’ll bring to our club with both his ability and his character.”
While averaging just on a try a game at NRL level, Khan-Pereira has scored at better than a
try a match in the Queensland Cup with 33 in 24 games for Burleigh and Ipswich.
He said his face-to-face meeting with Webster was the critical factor in his decision to move
to the Warriors.
“I was really hyped to hear that I was wanted at such a successful club,” said Khan-Pereira.
“I talked to Webby about the future and the direction of where the Warriors are headed and
I just couldn’t sit still.
“We also had a 40-minute chat to get to know each other, nothing related to rugby league
and we just clicked and had a great connection. From then I knew that I really wanted to
play for him and the club.
“Webby was one of the big reasons why I wanted to move over and also the boys there. I
enjoy the Wahs’ type of footy; I know it suits my style of playing.
“Going up against the Warriors you’re always in for a big night so I’m more than excited to
be on the other side of that.
“I know nothing’s just given. I know within myself I have a lot to prove and I wouldn’t have
it any other way. I’m keen to earn that from not just the club itself but also from the boys
and coaches.”
Khan-Pereira said reconnecting with former Titans teammates at the Warriors was another
positive in his move.
“I definitely feel more comfortable knowing that I have a couple of GC lads over there in
Nudge (Tanah Boyd), Taine (Tuaupiki) and Erin (Clark). It makes my move to a whole new
country much easier,” he said.
“I’ve seen them grow as players, Nudge and Taine winning the New South Wales Cup and
State Championship and Erin winning the (Dally M) lock of the year. Seeing them be so
successful has ignited something within me that I cannot wait for.”
Khan-Pereira also has a New Zealand connection through his Kiwi-born father who is of
Māori and Sāmoan heritage while his mother is of Indigenous Australian and Pakistani
descent.
