Former Silver Ferns defender Kayla Johnson will return to the ANZ Premiership, signing with Northern Stars for the 2022 season.
Johnson, 29, returns to New Zealand from Sydney, after a brief stint with the NSW Swifts in Australian Super Netball.
She and her husband - returning NZ Warriors half Shaun Johnson - also welcomed their first child in 2020.
Previously Kayla Cullen, she was a foundation member at the Stars in 2017 and played 47 tests for the national side, although persistent injuries saw her miss both Commonwealth Games gold medal teams, as well as the 2019 Netball World Cup victory in England.
"She's one of those players where you'll be standing on the side of the court at training and she'll do something, and you'll go 'how did she do that?'" Stars coach Kiri Wills says.
"She's, physically and skill-wise, one of the most capable players I've ever coached and she can do things nobody else can do - she's a freak."
The Stars have also boosted their ranks with the return of another foundation player - defender Holly Fowler - after two seasons with Waikato-Bay of Plenty Magic.
Johnson and Fowler will join eight of last season's squad - including veteran international Anna Harrison, 38 - that finished fourth in the ANZ Premiership regular season, missing the elimination final by two competition points.
Shooter Monica Falkner and defender Oceane Maihi are the two players not to return.
Northern Stars 2022 squad:
Defenders: Anna Harrison, Elle Temu, Holy Fowler, Kayla Johnson
Midcourters: Gina Crampton, Lisa Mather, Mila Reuelu-Buchanan
Shooters: Amorangi Malesala, Jamie Hume, Maia Wilson
