Brisbane Broncos forward Mitchell Dodds is the latest NRL star packing his bags for the Super League, signing a one-year deal with Warrington Wolves.
The announcement of Dodds' move was made on the Wolves' website after the Broncos' Qualifying Final win over the Cowboys, with the 26-year-old telling NRL.com he hopes to one day return to the club with whom he made his debut in 2010.
Plagued by knee injuries for the past two years, Dodds has played 17 games so far this season but having been unable to secure a new deal with Brisbane is now looking forward to a stint alongside Kurt Gidley and Chris Sandow at Warrington in England.
"It took a while but glad that we've done that and it's done," said Dodds after his side's 16-12 win.
"Should be a bit of an adventure for me and I look forward to playing there and seeing how they run things.
"I didn't want to leave the Broncos. I love it here and my family's here but the opportunity came up so I took it and it will be good fun.
"I hope to come back, don't worry. Hopefully you'll see me back here."
Warrington head coach Tony Smith said he is particularly excited about the defensive contribution Dodds will make to a team that finished the regular season in sixth position on the Super League table.
"He is a no-nonsense hard-hitting prop forward who is probably best known for his defensive efforts," Smith told the Wolves website.
"We need to strengthen in that area as it’s probably not been our strongest year defensively.
"He's got some of the experience needed to tighten us up down the middle."
The NRL Preliminary Final in a fortnight's time will be Dodds's 75th game for the Broncos and after playing in his first NRL finals fixture on Saturday night he knows the occasions only get bigger from here on in.
"That's pretty hard to beat, 50,000 people, and it's great to win it," said Dodds, who made 27 metres and 16 tackles in limited minutes against the Cowboys.
"You're on cloud nine really. And then it goes to another level after this.
"You play some through tough times in the year but it's a different level when you get to this stage.
"I haven't really been in this situation before so we just keep winning and keep enjoying it."
