"He doesn't want that fuss about it, he made sure he told his teammates first and he wanted them to understand his decision.
"It's a good thing for him that it is over, he obviously had a fair weight on his shoulders.
The recruitment coup comes after a shocking start to 2015 for the embattled Titans with several players charged with drug offences.
Cherry-Evans, who is set to earn around $1 million a season, will be called upon to rebuild the reigning wooden spooners from the ground up.
The Queensland and Australian playmaker declined to speak to reporters at Parramatta Stadium.
The Sea Eagles will now turn their attention to capturing the signature of five-eighth Kieran Foran, who is also off contract at season's end.
Foran has been strongly linked to both Canterbury and Parramatta.
Manly's talismanic fullback Brett Stewart said the loss of Cherry-Evans was a significant blow.
"Obviously it is a big loss for the team and a big loss for the club," Stewart said.
"But finally we can put it to bed and all the speculation can end ... we still have one (key player) to go.
"We were hopeful of keeping both, it would be shattering to lose both, but it is a business these days and they have to look after themselves and their families.
"But hopefully we can keep Fozza."
Toovey was hopeful the move to the Titans won't affect Cherry-Evans' form in his final year with Manly, with whom he won the 2011 premiership.
"He is very focused on his football and I think he will bust his gut to really endear himself to his fellow playing group and make sure finishes with a trophy in his bag."
- AAP
