Sam Verrills has played 117 NRL games, including 48 for the Sydney Roosters, who are bringing him back on a development deal for 2027, according to News Corp.
The club is expected to consider upgrading him to its Top 30 squad midway through the season.
The arrangement offers the Roosters salary-cap flexibility: clubs can begin a season with 29 contracted players and fill their 30th spot before the June 30 deadline.
Development players are eligible to play from Round 1 under rules introduced several years ago.
Verrills left the Gold Coast Titans at the end of 2026 after falling down the hooker pecking order under coach Josh Hannay.
His departure appeared bitter, with support from his partner suggesting his time at the club had not ended happily.
He had seemed a long-term successor to Jake Friend at the Roosters, playing in the 2019 NRL Grand Final, but struggled to establish himself after moving to the Titans, where he made 69 appearances.
Earlier in the year, a move to England appeared likely, potentially to St Helens, but Verrills preferred to stay in Australia.
St Helens has since considered other hookers, including Tom Starling.
At the Roosters, Verrills is likely to compete with Benaiah Ioelu for the back-up role to Reece Robson, who has three years remaining on his deal.