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Luciano Leilua returns to Dragons on three-year deal after Cowboys exit
Domestic violence charges against North Queensland NRL player Luciano Leilua dropped.
Luciano Leilua is heading home.
The explosive backrower will return to the Dragons on a three-year NRL deal after being granted an immediate release from the Cowboys, ending a tricky tenure up north and finally giving Shane Flanagan a marquee recruit.
Leilua had been linked with a move to Canberra over the past week, but the Samoan international will instead commit to St George Illawarra until the end of 2026, according to The Sydney Morning HeraldLucianoldLuciano Leilua will return to the Dragons this season. (Getty)
North Queensland is expected to contribute half of his salary for this season, before the Dragons pick up the entire bill for the final two years.
The 27-year-old will return to the club where his rugby league journey began, with the Hurstville United junior coming through the lower grades in the Red V before making his NRL debut in 2016.
Leilua has since made 123 first grade appearances across his stints with the Dragons, Tigers and Cowboys, as well as representing Samoa on three occasions.
He will join the likes of Raymond Faitala-Mariner, Kyle Flanagan and Hame Sele as new signings for the Red V heading into the 2024 campaign.
