Josh Kerr is to rejoin the Dolphins with immediate effect, the prop taking up the final position in the club's top 30 after being granted an early release by St George Illawarra.
The 27-year-old had already signed a two-year deal to return to his junior club from next year but his release has come at just the right time for the Dolphins, who have lost prop Jarrod Wallace to suspension and lock Tom Gilbert for the rest of the season following shoulder surgery.
Kerr will start training with the Dolphins this week and will be available for selection against Parramatta in Saturday's round-17 NRL clash on the Sunshine Coast.
Kerr has played 68 NRL games, including all 14 matches for the Dragons this year, and has represented the Indigenous All Stars team on five occasions.
He is highly regarded by Dolphins coach Wayne Bennett, who picked the forward in his Queensland squad for the 2020 State of Origin series.
Kerr was 18th man for game two that year, and while not making his Maroons debut he was a vital cog off the field in the 2-1 series win, winning the Peter Jackson Memorial Medal for his contributions in camp.
Dolphins CEO Terry Reader said Kerr's early arrival was a huge boost for the club.
"Josh has been keen to join the Dolphins ... the club where he began playing rugby league 20 years ago," Reader said.
"He is a high-quality acquisition for the club, and to get him for the rest of the 2023 season is a huge development for our list.
"We had one spot left in our top 30, and for it to be a local junior coming home to play is a great story.
"Josh will immediately feel like he belongs in a Dolphins jersey and I am sure our fans will give him the welcome home he deserves."
The Dolphins are just outside the top eight on 16 points, two behind next week's opponents the Eels but well behind on for and against.
