Returning NZ Warriors fullback Charnze Nicoll-Klokstad hopes to help the club challenge for its first NRL premiership, during his second stint with the Auckland side.
Nicoll-Klokstad, 27, has been released from the final year of his Canberra Raiders deal to return home next year, filling the void left by Brisbane-bound Reece Walsh.
The fullback came through the Warriors junior programme in 2017, but was forced to look elsewhere, behind a back three of Roger Tuivasa-Sheck, David Fusitu'a and Ken Maumalo.
With those three no longer at the Warriors, Nicoll-Klokstad's return boosts the their outside back stocks, along with the likes of Dallin Watene-Zelezniak, Marcelo Montoya and Edward Kosi.
Combined with fellow new signings Te Maire Martin from the Broncos, Dylan Walker from South Sydney, and forwards Marata Niukore from Parramatta and Mitchell Barnett from Newcastle among others, Nicoll-Klokstad is confident the club will contend next year.
He has told Fox Sports the desire to lift the Warriors' first premiership is a huge driver for the new recruits.
"It's very exciting," Nicoll-Klokstad said. "They've got new players coming in as well and I'm just looking forward to doing something special there.
"When I first started playing there, that was something I really wanted to be a part of was, you know, they haven't won a competition there.
"We just about won a competition here [Canberra], but to be a part of the first-ever premiership- winning team, that's the goal.
"I'm driven to help make that happen and I know a lot of the boys are too."
Since leaving the Warriors, Nicoll-Klokstad has made 73 appearances for Canberra, including a starring role in their run to the 2019 NRL Grand Final, where they lost to Sydney Roosters.
Returning to New Zealand will allow Nicoll-Klokstad to reunite with his family, whom he's lived away from since moving to Canberra.
Nicoll-Klokstad could still have a fairytale farewell with the Raiders, who eliminated Melbourne Storm in the first week of the NRL playoffs, although he faces a tough ask to regain the No.1 jersey, after an injury-hit season.
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