The Dolphins have made their first NRL player signing, snapping up Melbourne Storm edge forward Felise Kaufusi.
Kaufusi, 29, has signed a three-year deal with the newest NRL side.
The second-rower will join the team in 2023, and return to his home state of Queensland to play club football.
Queenslander Felise Kaufusi is coming home after agreeing to terms to join the Dolphins in 2023 🐬#AlwaysADolphin pic.twitter.com/jFIBRNZJ3u
— Dolphins NRL (@dolphinsnrl) November 25, 2021
He has played 152 games for the Storm since his 2015 debut, winning two premierships with the Victoria-based club.
Kaufusi has also represented Queensland on 12 occasions in the State of Origin and has made appearances for Tonga and Australia on a national level.
In an official statement, Dolphins' NRL team chief executive Terry Reader shared his excitement for the signing.
"It is imperative the Dolphins build a squad that contains players of representative calibre and Felise certainly fits that mould," Reader said.
"The fact that that he grew up in Bundaberg is also a positive for Queensland's newest professional sporting team.
"Felise has been part of a very successful era for the Storm club in recent years, so we are excited about the leadership and strong work ethic he will bring to the Dolphins," he added.
This deal marks the Dolphins' first signing of an NRL player since it was announced they would be joining the competition in 2023.
The club has thus far been unsuccessful in its attempts to acquire players such as Kalyn Ponga and Christian Welch, with a number of options re-signing or moving elsewhere.
Dolphins' coach Wayne Bennett is also believed to be interested in Kaufusi's Storm teammate Brandon Smith, with the Melbourne hooker yet to announce his decision.