South Sydney have handed off-contract Wests Tigers second-rower Michael Chee-Kam a lifeline, picking him up on a one-year deal.

Chee-Kam was left without a club after the Tigers opted against re-signing him at the end of the 2021 season, with 94 games to his name.

But the 29-year-old Samoan international will now link with the Rabbitohs and new coach Jason Demetriou.

"Michael is a proven performer at the NRL level over a long period of time so we are looking forward to him joining our squad," Souths head of football Mark Ellison said.

"He understands what it takes to perform at the NRL level week-in and week-out and he will be a good mentor for a lot of the young forwards we have in our squad.

"He also brings utility value to our team as he can play second-row and centre as well as being able to do a job in a few other positions as well."

The Rabbitohs have lost Jaydn Su'A from their back row for next season, while centre Tautau Moga is expected to join him at St George Illawarra.

Earlier in the week the Bunnies extended the stay of fan favourite Mark Nicholls until the end of 2023.