Roger Tuivasa-Sheck is set to make a shock return to rugby league, after agreeing to leave the 15-man game and inking a three-year deal with the Warriors from 2024.
A Dally M Medallist in 2018, Tuivasa-Sheck left the NRL midway through 2021 after signing to move to the Auckland-based Blues before making his All Blacks debut last year.
Tuivasa-Sheck's Blues deal had been set to expire at the end of this year, and it had been speculated he could move to Japanese Rugby next season.
But the 29-year-old will instead now return to the Warriors, having previously captained the club and played 111 of his 195 NRL matches there.
"It's hugely exciting knowing Roger is coming back to us, back to his home at Mount Smart Stadium," Warriors CEO Cameron George said.
"When he went to rugby union he did so knowing he was always welcome back here if he wished to return to rugby league. We couldn't be more delighted it's happening.
"He's popular with the players and a real fan favourite. It's going to be so good seeing him back in our jersey."
A premiership-winner at the Roosters, Tuivasa-Sheck has not turned out for the Blues since March after suffering a hand injury.
The fullback's return marks a significant coup for not just the Warriors but the NRL, with the league having watched Joseph-Aukuso Suaalii sign to move the opposite way last month.
A dual-international, Tuivasa-Sheck's return will also act as an immediate boost to the 13-man game in New Zealand after previously playing 20 Tests for the Kiwis and being named Golden Boot winner in 2019.
One of the game's most dangerous players when at his best, he will rejoin a Warriors team that is clearly on the up after three years spent in Australia due to COVID-19.
With new coach Andrew Webster at the helm, the Warriors have won five of their opening seven games to sit third on the ladder while packing their home ground in Auckland.
"Roger came to the club in my second season as an assistant coach in 2016 and he had a huge impact on the squad," Webster said.
"That first year was cut short by his ACL injury but it was brilliant working with him. I'm super excited knowing he's coming back to the club."
