Sonny Bill Williams has confirmed he's heading back to the NRL's Sydney Roosters.
After a week of speculation, the cross-code superstar has revealed to 9News he will return to the club he won a championship with back in 2013.
Williams had been a part of Toronto Wolfpack's first Super League season in Europe, but the financial strains of COVID-19 forced the club to withdraw from a revamped competition set to start next month.
Toronto have given Williams permission to negotiate a short-term NRL deal and the Roosters have been quick to play their hand.
They've freed up a roster spot in anticipation of his return, which has now been confirmed by Williams himself.
"It's no secret that I'm pretty close with the lads at the Roosters," Williams has told Channel Nine.
"I stay in contact with [chief executive] Nick [Politis] and [coach] Trent [Robinson] every now and then.
"Trent gave me a call and enquired about what was happening with me over here [Europe], and then Nick hit me up, and asked if I had a couple of months in me to come back and give it a crack."
Williams had booked a European family holiday, which he had to put on hold, when news of the Wolfpack's 2020 demise broke and his former NRL club came calling.
The two-time Rugby World Cup winner with the All Blacks is excited to add his skillset to the talent-rich Roosters roster, as they push for a third straight NRL title.
"To be honest, I hadn't trained for a bit - I've been in holiday mode, and me and my wife had booked flights for a little family holiday in Europe.
"It's the challenge that I get so excited about and it just lights that competitive fire."
Williams will need an exemption from Australian Rugby League to play, but chairman Peter V'Landys has indicated that will be granted.
He will need to serve a two-week quarantine in Sydney, before joining his new teammates next month.
