Controversial front rower Matt Lodge will join the NZ Warriors immediately after agreeing terms on a deal through the 2022 NRL season.
Lodge is considered one of the best props in the game, but comes with personal baggage that is likely to draw questions from some corners of the fan base.
In 2016, Lodge was arrested and charged with assault in New York, after he threatened two German tourists - chasing them into an apartment building.
He proceeded to break into and destroy furniture in a man's apartment, before being stopped by police.
Lodge avoided jail time and returned to the NRL in 2018 with the Brisbane Broncos where he has remained.
Making his NRL debut in 2014, Lodge has played 77 NRL games - 12 for the Wests Tigers and 65 for the Broncos - but has barely featured in the last two years after suffering an ACL tear in February 2020.
Lodge will join up with his new club this weekend after being granted an early release by the Broncos.
"Matt will add more experience and real size to further boost our front row resources," says coach Nathan Brown.
"We like what he has to offer us as a bug bidy in the middle of the park, with his ability to play big minutes and his impressive great work rate.
"He'll be a great addition to our squad."
Lodge joins mid-season recuits Dallin Watene-Zelezniak, Reece Walsh and Chad Townsend as the Warriors attempt a final push at playoff football - sitting just one win outside the top eight.
Club CEO Cameron George says the recruitment of Lodge for the next season-and-a-half adds quality, experience and power to the playing stocks.
"Matt is still only 25, but he has real experience and gives our coaching staff exactly what they want in the middle of the park," says George.
"We've been active in the market working as hard as we can to strengthen our squad in the short-term, while also looking beyond to ensure we are positioned to build the club to where we want to be."
Lodge has averaged 129 run metres and 25 tackles per game in 12 appearances for the struggling Broncos in 2021.
More to come
