Kieran Foran will resume his NRL career with the Warriors - pending a clearance from the NRL - after signing a one-year deal for next season.
After almost two months of negotiations, the Warriors beat out several clubs, including the Bulldogs, Storm, Rabbitohs and Dragons, to land the signature of the former Manly and Parramatta playmaker.
While the Warriors and Foran have agreed terms, the NRL still need to give the deal the green light and require assurances Foran has dealt with numerous off-field issues, while the integrity unit also want answers from him regarding allegations linking him to match fixing.
The Warriors were always favourites to secure the 26-year-old five-eighth but his reluctance to leave Sydney and his two young children saw him explore other options that would have allowed him to remain in Australia.
But his strong relationship with Warriors managing director Jim Doyle, who has provided Foran with support and advice in recent months, proved pivotal in him committing to terms after a verbal agreement was struck in recent weeks.
"We have worked through the option of coming to Auckland carefully with him," said Doyle.
"There has been much to consider in creating an environment for Kieran to not only return to football but also to put all the support around him that he needs.
"I'm delighted that following those discussions, Kieran has now decided to join the Warriors.
"The next step is to work alongside the NRL to cover off all requirements to have the contract registered."
While Foran's signing remains under a cloud, Doyle's strong standing among the game's administrators and the fact the club went public with the news, bodes well for the Warriors' hopes of having the deal rubber stamped.
The news follows a tumultuous year for Foran in which he quit the game after he was granted a release in July from his multi-million-dollar deal with Parramatta.
In April, he spent time in a Brisbane rehabilitation clinic following a relationship breakdown.NZME