Luciano Leilua has completed a shock return to St George Illawarra five years after first leaving the club, as he was granted an immediate release by North Queensland.
The Cowboys were left shocked by Leilua’s request but granted the backrower an early break from his contract, which still had two years remaining on it.
Luciano Leilua signs three-year contract with St George Illawarra
Leilua has returned to the club where he made his NRL debut back in 2016, while also reportedly harbouring late interest from Canberra.
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Luciano made 43 appearances for the Red V before departing to join the Wests Tigers on a lucrative deal.
The Samoan international played across three seasons for the Tigers until he left halfway through the 2022 campaign to take up an offer from the Cowboys.
Despite regularly being one of the Townsville outfit’s best, Leilua requested a move just three weeks out from the beginning of the new season and will now take up a deal with the Dragons worth a reported $900,000 per season.
“We’re delighted to bring Luciano back to the Dragons, where he started his career,” St George head coach Shane Flanagan said.
“As a powerful and skillful edge forward, he will make our roster stronger as we head into the season.”
Why Cowboys released Luciano Leilua as backrower returns to the Dragons
North Queensland coach Todd Payten has often spoken of his admiration for Leilua’s performances out on the field, but the club has been coming under increasing pressure to retain their young stars.
In the backrow in particular, the Cowboys are stocked with talent with Jeremiah Nanai and Heilum Luki expected to line up on their edges for years to come.
Nanai inked a monster contract extension last year which ties him to the club until at least the end of the 2027 season, while they are hard at work on trying to negotiate a renewal for Luki.
Kulikefu Finefeuiaki is also in the mix as the 20-year-old attempts to force his way into Payten’s calculations after making a positive start to his NRL career in 2023
