Canberra coach Ricky Stuart will always keep the door open for departing five-eighth Blake Austin, who has signed a three-year deal with Super League club Warrington.

The 27-year-old will take the place of ex-Newcastle and Gold Coast halfback Tyrone Roberts from next season.

Stuart said Austin was a big part of the Raider’s resurgence as an attacking team, and that he would be a huge bonus for Warrington.

“The door at the Canberra Raiders is never closed in regards to Blake and his family,” Stuart said in a statement on Tuesday.

“This was a salary cap decision by the club and we genuinely wish him all the best.”

Warrington coach Steve Price has hailed the signing as a massive coup and said they fought off competition from clubs in both Super League and the NRL to secure Austin’s signature.

“I’ve watched Blake closely for a number of years over in the NRL and he’s a guy who, when you come to review the opposition, your game plan heavily revolves around, which says a lot about the type of player he is,” Price said.

“He has an outstanding running game and is always a threat with the ball in his hand. He’s a big body so hard to handle, with electric footwork.

“I feel he is going to be a quality signing for our club and I’m excited to be able to work with Blake next year.

“When I was fortunate to be assistant coach alongside Shane Flanagan at Cronulla Sharks for the semi-final down at Canberra, we heavily revolved our game plan around Blake as he’s certainly an excitement machine.”

Austin began his NRL career with Penrith in 2011 and had a season at Wests Tigers before joining Canberra ahead of the 2015 season. His current NRL appearance total is 114 with 42 tries.

Austin said he was excited for the move and hoped to be “remembered as a guy that gave his all in green”.

“I’m stoked I get the chance to come over in what I believe can be the best years of my footy career, and not a cameo at the tail end of my career,” he said.

“My partner and I have always wanted to experience England and the Super League and can’t wait to embrace the Wolves and everything Warrington has to offer.”