After being granted permission to officially train with the club late last week, Segeyaro has been provided with a release from UK Super League club the Leeds Rhinos and once his new contract has been registered by the NRL will be eligible to turn out for the Sharks.

The new contract with the Sharks will be for the 2017 and 2018 seasons.

Having played 103 games in the NRL, 70 for the Panthers and 33 in North Queensland as a Cowboy, Segeyaro endured a frustrating year with injury in the UK, hence his decision to return home.

His signing ends months of speculation with Flanagan looking forward to having him on board and to be assisting youngster Jayden Brailey in the Sharks hooking role.

“I’m excited to have him in my squad,” Flanagan said. “James has missed a fair bit of training and we probably won’t see the best of him for a few weeks however he is a quality player and one that will certainly add something to our team.

“He gives us some real competition at hooker and Jayden (Brailey) will need some help during the year and James will provide that.”

A Papua New Guinea international, Segeyaro played just four matches for the Panthers in 2016 before moving to Leeds where he ran out for the Rhinos on 10 occasions.