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South Sydney have confirmed the signing of Sam Burgess until at least the end of the 2018 NRL season.
Burgess returns to the Rabbitohs after a failed 12-month stint in rugby union.
Friday’s confirmation from Souths came shortly after reports from the UK said Burgess had left English rugby club Bath and was headed for Australia.
The 26-year-old was delighted to rejoin the Rabbitohs after winning a premiership with the club in 2014.
“I want to thank everyone at England rugby and Bath for some great memories over the last 12 months,” Burgess said in a statement.
“I am also extremely excited to be joining back up with South Sydney. I cannot wait to get back into the Rabbitohs culture, full of great people and passionate Members and supporters.”
South Sydney coach Michael Maguire is thrilled to have Burgess back at Redfern.
“I could not be happier to see Sam coming home to the Rabbitohs,” coach Maguire said in a club statement.
“He had an enormously positive impact on our club, both on and off the field, throughout the five seasons he was here, and to be bringing back one of the game’s most dominant players is fantastic for not only our club, but the game itself.”
The full statement from the club is here:
The South Sydney Rabbitohs have signed dual International, Sam Burgess, with the Englishman re-joining the Club until at least the end of the 2018 season, it was announced today.
Burgess, 26, will re-join his only NRL Club, the Rabbitohs, after a 12-month period in English Rugby where he played five Rugby Test matches for England including the 2015 Rugby World Cup, one match for England Saxons and 26 appearances for Bath.
Burgess played 96 NRL matches for South Sydney, including a Clive Churchill Medal-winning performance in the 2014 NRL Grand Final where he played virtually the entire game with a fractured face following a head-clash with fellow Englishman, James Graham of the Bulldogs.
Burgess has also played 17 Rugby League Test matches for England and Great Britain, one game for Northern Union and one game for the NRL All Stars.
Sam will re-unite with brothers George and Thomas at the Rabbitohs in 2016.
Rabbitohs Head Coach Michael Maguire is delighted to see Sam returning to his Australian home.
“I could not be happier to see Sam coming home to the Rabbitohs,” Coach Maguire said.
“He had an enormously positive impact on our Club, both on and off the field, throughout the five seasons he was here, and to be bringing back one of the game’s most dominant players is fantastic for not only our Club, but the game itself.
“He will add starch to our forward pack, and he will bring his leadership qualities to the team as well.
“He wanted to test himself in Rugby Union and he achieved many of his goals, becoming a dual International for England and representing his country at a Rugby World Cup.
“The next chapter is for him to return to the game he was born to play, and we’re over the moon that he is coming home to do that with his Rabbitohs family here at South Sydney.”
Burgess said he was grateful to England Rugby and Bath for his experience in Rugby Union and is now looking forward to getting stuck into training alongside his Rabbitohs teammates.
“I want to thank everyone at England Rugby and Bath for some great memories over the last 12 months,” Burgess said.
“I must also thank Bath especially for granting my release to return home to my family who I have missed more than I could have imagined.
“I am also extremely excited to be joining back up with South Sydney. I cannot wait to get back into the Rabbitohs culture, full of great people and passionate Members and supporters.
“I had a wonderful time in England and learnt a lot about the game of Rugby Union as both a back and a forward, and I have definitely developed as an all-round player and athlete after that.
“I’m now very lucky to be given the chance to come back to Souths and serve this Club and its Members.
“I look forward to getting stuck into training with all the boys and working hard for the upcoming season.”
Name: Sam Burgess
Date of Birth: 14 December 1988
Place of Birth: Dewsbury, England
Height: 196cm
Weight: 116kg
Position: Utility forward
Junior Club: Dewsbury Moor
Previous Clubs: Bradford Bulls (2006-09); Rabbitohs (2010-14); Bath Rugby (2014-15)
NRL Debut: Rabbitohs vs Roosters, ANZ Stadium, 14 March 2010 (Rd 1)
First Team Debut: Bradford Bulls vs Leeds Rhinos, 2006 (Super League)
NRL Games: 96 (all for the Rabbitohs)
First Team Games: 175 (96 for the Rabbitohs; 79 for Bradford) **26 games for Bath Rugby
NRL Points: 104 (26 tries)
First Team Points: 182 (104 for the Rabbitohs from 26 tries; 78 for Bradford from 17 tries, five goals)
Rep Honours: Rugby League: 17 Tests for England and Great Britain (2007-10, 2013); World Cup (2013); One game for NRL All Stars (2010); One game for Northern Union (2007);
Rugby Union: Five Tests for England (2015); World Cup (2015); One game for England Saxons (2015)
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