preparing for a season in the English Super League.

But an opportunity to play for his beloved St George Illawarra saw Vea reject an approach to move overseas in order to fulfil his childhood dream.

‘‘If it was any other club I wouldn’t have signed,’’ Vea, 25, said. ‘‘To play for the club where it all started was too good of an opportunity.

‘‘Every kid wants to play in the NRL for the team where you grew up and learnt how to play footy, it will be much more of a buzz.’’

Vea played all his junior football within the St George junior league as part of a dominate Hurstville United side which also featured ex-NRL player Charlie Leaeno.

He played under-16 Harold Matthews and under-18 SG Ball where he was a teammate of Jason Nightingale at the Dragons before injury forced him away from the game.

‘‘I finished school and had a bad run with injuries,’’ the former Marist College Kogarah student said.

‘‘For about a year-and-a-half I stopped playing but I saw a lot of my mates playing on TV and just got hungry for it.

‘‘I went back to playing without the pressure of having to perform and that was much better for my football.’’

His new-found enjoyment resulted in a belated first grade debut at Cronulla where he played eight games in 2009.

The skilful back-rower then moved to Melbourne where he missed a large chunk of his first season with a back injury. He recovered to play 11 matches for the minor premiers last year including their shock preliminary final defeat against New Zealand Warriors.

‘‘It was one of those opportunities you had to take,’’ Vea said. ‘‘It was tough because I was homesick and looking through the calendar wondering whether I had enough days to go home and see the family.’’

‘‘I grew up a lot through footy and taking care of yourself off the field.’’

Having lived with Chase Stanley in Melbourne, Vea has since shifted to Wollongong alongside fellow new recruit Daniel Vidot to be close to Dragons training.

With just a one-year deal, ‘‘Tills’’ has little time to impress.

‘‘I’m just trying to get myself in a good position to be a look-in for the Charity Shield,’’ he said. ‘‘It’s a good stepping stone for the season.’’

With Ben Creagh, Beau Scott and Dean Young almost certain to be the Dragons starting back-rowers, Vea will compete with Leeson Ah Mau, Josh Miller, Matt Prior and Nick Emmett for back row bench spots.