After receiving an immediate release from the Cowboys, the dynamic backrower will rejoin the Dragons on a three-year NRL contract, capping a difficult stay up north and providing Shane Flanagan with his first major recruit.
Leilua, a Samoan international, has been linked to a move to Canberra for the past week, however The Sydney Morning Herald reports that the player will remain with St George Illawarra until the end of 2026.
For this season, North Queensland is anticipated to pay half of his salary; for the next two years, the Dragons will cover the whole amount.
The 27-year-old Hurstville United kid, who progressed through the Red V’s lower grades before making his NRL debut in 2016, will rejoin the team where his rugby league career started.
Since then, Leilua has played in 123 first-grade games for the Dragons, Tigers, and Cowboys. He has also made three appearances for Samoa.
As new recruits for the Red V entering the 2024 campaign, he will be joining players like Kyle Flanagan, Raymond Faitala-Mariner, and Hame Sele.
Although neither team has confirmed the information yet, one is anticipated very soon.
