Gold Coast hooker Nathan Friend has kicked off the NRL player merry-go-round after agreeing to a three-year deal with the Warriors starting next season.

The 30-year-old will shift to Auckland in 2012, with the contract guaranteed for two years and containing an option for the 2014 season.

"We're really pleased to be able to secure a player of the highest quality in such a key position," Warriors recruitment manager Dean Bell said in a statement.

"It's not often anyone rated as one of the best in a specialist role becomes available on the market.

"Such players are usually well tied up, so for us to get someone as talented as Nathan is a real achievement."

His signing does not bode well for the future of current hooker Aaron Heremaia, who was one of only two Warriors players to appear in all 25 games for the club last season.

The Warriors will be Friend's fourth club, after appearances with Brisbane, Melbourne and Gold Coast.

"(The Titans) gave me the chance to establish myself at first-grade level and I appreciate what they've done for me," Friend said.

"While my focus is on doing well for them for the rest of this season, I'm also pleased to have my future sorted out for next year and beyond. It's an important contract not just for me but also my family."

Friend made his comeback from off-season shoulder surgery last Friday night, where he came up with an astonishing 57 tackles.

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