After a lengthy negotiation process, the St George Illawarra Dragons have officially agreed to terms with former Sharks head coach Shane Flanagan.
The premiership-winning mentor will join Paul McGregor's staff as an assistant on a one-year deal.
The signing comes just a year after Flanagan was banned by the NRL for engaging with the Sharks during his one-year suspension in 2014, with Todd Greenberg announcing in September the coach will be free to return to the game from December 18.
Flanagan remains banned from taking a head coaching role for the next two seasons.
The signing comes after the Dragons
overhauled their coaching staff earlier this month in a bid to produce an immediate turnaround on the field following a disappointing season.
McGregor kept his job, despite the side finishing 15th on the ladder, with Flanagan's former Sharks colleague James Shepherd also joining the club as an assistant.
Read more: Lomax, Dufty stake claim for St George Illawarra fullback role
Dean Young retained his position, with Ben Hornby departing, while the club also confirmed Wednesday Matthew Head will remain as Canterbury Cup coach.
Faced with the opportunity to work with a premiership-winning coach, McGregor said he looks forward to working with Flanagan.
"Shane will be a valuable asset to the Dragons' endeavours in 2020," McGregor said. "His success has been proven time and time again over many years and we're glad to have him on board."