Melbourne forward Ryan Hinchcliffe has accepted a three-year offer to join Super League club Huddersfield Giants from the 2016 season.

Hinchcliffe has been at the club for seven seasons after joining the Storm from Canberra in 2008, playing 163 games for the Melbourne side.

The 30-year-old said the decision to leave a club where he’d enjoyed such success was a tough one to make, especially after the faith Storm coach Craig Bellamy had shown in him.

“I’m excited to join Huddersfield and thankful for the opportunity to extend my career; my priority though remains playing well for Melbourne Storm and working hard to try and achieve the ultimate success with my teammates,” Hinchcliffe said in a club statement.

“I can’t thank Craig Bellamy enough for all he has done for me and the opportunity he gave me at Storm to learn how to be a first grade footballer.”

Melbourne coach Craig Bellamy felt Hinchcliffe’s influence around the club would be difficult to replace.

“Losing one of our favourite sons won’t be easy, he has been one of the very best clubmen I’ve come across during my time in rugby league,” Bellamy said.

“He is a very tough character, he plays well above his weight, is extremely resilient and selfless.”