Tonumaipea on a new mission at Titans

Young Tonumaipea has a new mission at the Titans after his recent journey from Berlin to the Gold Coast, via Melbourne.

The 27-year-old has signed a train and trial contract with the Gold Coast after completing a two-year Mormon missionary assignment in Germany.

The Samoan international, who played 43 NRL games for Melbourne, is a strong chance of securing permanent deal at the Titans after England international Kallum Watkins recently secured a release from the club for family reasons.

Tonumaipea can play fullback, wing and centre at the Storm and was Samoa's custodian at the 2017 World Cup.

He arrived back in Australia a month ago and spent 14 days in  mandatory quarantine due to the coronavirus pandemic. After making the long trip to the Gold Coast from  Melbourne by car he said he was now ready to embrace an "awesome opportunity" after a life changing experience in Germany.

"It is a bit weird. I've been away for a couple of years and come back to all this COVID-19 going on but I am just grateful for this opportunity the Gold Coast Titans have given to me," he told the Titans website.

"Serving the mission in Germany was an awesome experience and something I am very proud of. I learned a lot of new lessons that I will bring to the Gold Coast Titans.

"The experience helped me grow and I have a different perspective on life."

Tonumaipea will reunite with former Storm teammate and Titans skipper Kevin Proctor and is determined to secure a new permanent deal. Getting on the paddock on a consistent basis will be the key to his long-term future.

"Obviously I know what rugby league and the challenge that comes with it. This is a whole different system to the Melbourne Storm but I will give it my best and adapt to whatever the coach needs me to do.

"I am gunning for a spot this year and definitely trying to get into the team this year."