Waratahs lock Sam Lousi is off to Wellington, the Hurricanes confirmed on Friday.
Lousi, who moved from New Zealand and the NRL to play for the Waratahs, is set to return across the ditch to join the 2015 Super Rugby grand finalists.
The 24-year-old will join the Lions in the New Zealand provincial competition after the Super Rugby season, before starting with the Hurricanes ahead of the 2017 season.
"When the opportunity came along to join the Hurricanes and move home it was too hard to turn down,” he said.
“I'm excited to be part of the team next season and also look forward to furthering my career."
At 1.99m and 128kg, Hurricanes coach Chris Boyd said he wanted to see Lousi continue to develop.
"Sam is a big, powerful man and has a lot of raw potential so we're looking forward to helping him develop his game. I'm sure he'll fit in really well at the Hurricanes,” he said.
Lions coach Earl Va'a said Lousi would bring plenty to the Wellington outfit.
"We think Sam can add another dimension to our play. He's a very effective ball carrier and a good athlete,” he said.
“Our forwards coach Richard Watt and I are looking forward to working with him before he starts the next chapter of his Super Rugby career with the Hurricanes."
Lousi will come off the bench for the Waratahs on Friday night, when they take on the Blues in Auckland.
