St George Illawarra have ended the protracted chase for Corey Norman, announcing the signing of the former Parramatta star on a three-year contract.
The 27-year-old has played 169 games across nine seasons in the NRL for Brisbane and the Eels.
Norman is likely to start the season at five-eighth alongside former Queensland halfback Ben Hunt in the halves.
Dragons captain Gareth Widdop is likely to shift to fullback, leaving the future of exciting young fullback Matt Dufty in doubt.
Norman said he was excited to start a new chapter of his career, having left Parramatta after the Eels finished the 2018 season last on the table.
“It's a big day for myself and my family. There are some exciting times ahead,” Norman said.
“The Dragons squad at the moment is really good and coming off a good year so I'm really looking forward to playing with the boys and spending plenty of good seasons here.”
Norman said goodbye to his Eels teammates at training on Friday – even though a dispute with the club over a mere $20,000 threatened to derail his move to the Dragons.
Some Dragons fans will question the signing of Norman given his chequered off-field past. He was on his final warning at the Eels after being fined $20,000 in May for drinking alcohol while injured.
But Dragons director of rugby league pathways and list management Ian Millward said he was pleased to have signed a player of Norman’s quality.
“Corey is a player who will entertain all members and fans with his ability in attack. He is a player who we see will take us to the next level with the way he plays the game,” Millward said.
“When we make these decisions, it's not always about pure recruitment. We talk to our senior players, we speak to our coach. Overall, we have been impressed.
“Straight away, there will be speculation around the position he'll play and that'll be up to the coach. We feel Corey as a quality player will give [coach] Paul [McGregor] an opportunity to work with some really outstanding talent.”
Along with Norman, St George have also signed Korbin Sims, Lachlan Maranta, Mikaele Ravalawa, Eddie Blacker, Lachlan Timm and Jonus Pearson for 2019, having lost Jason Nightingale (retired) and Nene Macdonald (Cowboys), Leeson Ah Mau (Warriors) and Kurt Mann (Knights).
Hame Sele (Panthers), Reuben Garrick (Sea Eagles) and Patrick Herbert (released) have also left the club.
The Dragons have now filled 29 of the required top 30 roster positions for next season.
