State of Origin star Dane Gagai will depart the Rabbitohs at the end of the 2021 season, linking up with former club the Newcastle Knights.
The 30-year-old has been at South Sydney since 2018, scoring 33 tries in 82 games for the red and green during that time.
But despite an offer on the table to remain in Redfern next year, Gagai has opted to return to the Knights, where he played between 2012 and 2017.
As first reported by The Daily Telegraph on Friday afternoon, Gagai will move back to the Hunter region and look to mentor the likes of Dominic Young, Enari Tuala and Bradman Best in the outside backs.
Rabbitohs coach Wayne Bennett confirmed the news, revealing that Gagai told his teammates ahead of the round 19 clash with the Warriors.
“He just told the team on the team bus on the way home from training that he’s going to Newcastle," he said.
“South Sydney couldn’t offer him a long-term contract. He knew he was on the move.
"He went to Newcastle in 2012 – I took him down there actually when the Broncos didn’t want him. He spent a lot of his career in Newcastle, he’s got family there and that.
"I think he is pretty happy about going back."
Gagai has scored 11 tries in 19 games for Queensland, and has become one of their most important players in recent years.
The news of his departure from South Sydney comes just days after fellow Maroons star Jaydn Su'A officially signed with the Dragons, while the well-publicised exit of Adam Reynolds also leaves a huge hole at the Bunnies.
On top of the player exodus, Bennett will also leave the club at the end of the year, with assistant coach Jason Demetriou to take over the top job.
Bennett told the media on Friday that Gagai has always been a pleasure to coach during his time with him both at Newcastle and South Sydney.
“I think he is playing his best football at the moment actually," he said.
"Each year I have been here, he’s got better. I think he has been real good this year, not that he hasn’t in other years, but he’s certainly been very good this year.
“He’s always happy, always upbeat and a great competitor - he is easy to coach.
"When he left the Broncos they told him to leave, they had a whole lot of issue with him they said. Honest to God, I’ve never seen any of those issues and never had a moment’s confrontation with him, nor has he ever been late for anything.
"He’s pretty much a real pleasure to coach."
Newcastle are yet to officially confirm the news, with a three-year deal expected to be announced in the coming days.
