The 20-year-old second-rower made his NRL debut in Round 24 of the 2022 NRL season for the Wests Tigers.

Bulldogs CEO Aaron Warburton was pleased to announce the two-year agreement:

“The Bulldogs are thrilled to have welcomed Kitione to the Club. He has made an immediate impression at training and will line up this weekend alongside Reece Hoffman and Harrison Edwards to form a strong back row formation.

“As we continue to work on depth and cohesion across the playing group, Kitione will form an integral part of our side as we look to the next few years. His journey at the Bulldogs begins now and we couldn’t be more excited for the future of this great Club.”

Kautoga’s Club debut this weekend will be pending his approval to travel to New Zealand on his temporary visa.

READ MORE: ‘I’m worried’: The leadership void Bulldogs must fill amid doubt over new recruits

The Bulldogs are desperate to return to winnings ways and are trying to build a roster to get them there.

But despite four players already confirmed to be making the move to Belmore next season, there’s a concern none of them will bring what the club needs most — leadership.

Two-time premiership-winning Panther Stephen Crichton headlines the list that includes Rabbitohs’ back-up fullback Blake Taaffe, Panthers utility Jaeman Salmon and former Shark Bronson Xerri, who will return from a four-year ban.

“They have bought players, but none of any real significance — aside from Stephen Crichton,” NRL 360 host and former Bulldog Braith Anasta said.

“But still I’m worried the players they’ve bought… I don’t mean to sound disrespectful because I hate saying it but when you look at the players they’ve bought there’s no real big-game players, impact, x-factor (players).”

“Outside of (Crichton) these are guys that are going to strengthen the squad no doubt about it,” News Corp journalist Michael Carayannis interjected.

“They’re better than the guys that are leaving the club, but are they going to make them a top eight side? The answer is no.”