"Having Papua New Guinean players like Zac representing the PNG Chiefs will be incredibly important to the identity, and he can help inspire the next generation of rugby league talent in this country by showing what is possible to achieve in the NRL," said CEO Lorna McPherson.
The Chiefs have signed Papua New Guinea international Zac Laybutt from the North Queensland Cowboys for their inaugural NRL season in 2028.
Laybutt, an eight-time Kumuls representative, is 24 and will be 26 when the Chiefs begin playing in 18 months' time.
He becomes the youngest player signed by the club and the eighth member of coach Willie Peters' squad.
The roster also includes Jarome Luai, Joey Manu, Zac Lomax and Brian To'o.
"We are delighted to have signed Zac, and his signing is particularly meaningful for us as we build a club that proudly represents PNG," McPherson said.
After South Sydney winger Alex Johnston, Laybutt is the second Papua New Guinean international to join the squad.
The Chiefs have also signed three homegrown Papua New Guineans to development deals and are in talks with Canberra's Hudson Young and St Helens halfback Sean O'Sullivan.