Turner, who has battled to play in his preferred position with Billy Slater and Greg Inglis ahead of him, inked a three-year deal with the new Titans franchise.

In recent weeks Storm, which is two wins clear at the top of the league ladder, has also been forced to release veterans David Kidwell and Scott Hill.

Hooker Nathan Friend has signed with the Titans and is expected to be joined by Kiwi Test winger Jake Webster when the NRL's anti-tampering deadline expires on July 1.

"You have a bit of success and it becomes hard to keep your squad together," Bellamy said last night.

"Players want and deserve upgraded contracts when you are doing well and it makes it very hard to keep everyone.

"Just like Kiddy (Kidwell) we would have loved to keep Steve Turner. He is a great kid and a very good player, but the reality is something has to give and we can't begrudge him the opportunity to go up there.

"What really disappoints me is that you have to go through all this at this time of year. It probably affects us more than a lot of clubs because our players are very tight-knit socially.

"Most of them don't have family or a lot of friends outside of the football club in Melbourne. They see their mate getting a new contract and it plays on their mind."

Storm had hoped to keep Turner after withdrawing its offer to Webster. But after finally overcoming a horror injury run, the former Penrith junior could not turn down the chance to play regular fullback.

"I would have loved to stay in Melbourne," Turner said.

"The club has shown a lot of faith in me when I went through a few poor years with injury.

"It was very difficult to leave. I think the time I have had in Melbourne has been great for my football. I've made some great friends and I think I have developed as a player and a person."

Turner became the Titans' 15th recruit, but Storm foiled any attempt by the Gold Coast to snatch promising prop Antonio Kaufusi, re-signing the power forward to a three-year deal yesterday.

"It was a pretty tough choice whether to stay here in Melbourne or go home (to Queensland) and be closer to my family," Kaufusi said.

"But at the end of the day, for the development of my career, things are going very well here in Melbourne and I didn't want to change it. Craig's the best coach I've ever had and (assistant coach) Stephen Kearney's a great help with us forwards."

Turner is expected to retain the fullback's jumper for Friday night's game against the Bulldogs, with the returning Slater likely to be on the bench.

Inglis will not be considered, lengthening his chances of making the Queensland side for the Origin decider at Telstra Dome on Wednesday July 5.

"From what our medical staff is saying, he's no chance," Bellamy said. "With the bye the following week we aren't going to take any chances there."

Bellamy is also expected to finalise a two-year contract extension with Storm as early as today.