Fan favourite Marty Banks will return to the Highlanders for the 2019 Super Rugby season, after negotiating a release from his Japanese company side.
The slightly built first-five logged 33 games for the southern franchise between 2015-17, but spent last season with Italian side Benetton and then signing with NTT Cocomo in Japan.
But Highlanders chief executive Roger Clark broker the deal to get the former Buller player back to the South Island.
"Marty is something of a cult figure amongst our fan base, so I am sure there will be some real excitement that he's coming back for another season with team," says Clark.
Banks, 29, offers the Highlanders some much-needed experience among the inside backs, as they try to replace former All Black Lima Sopoaga, who left for France at the end of last season.
He joins Josh Ioane and Bryn Gatland, both 23, among the first-fives named in the Highlanders squad for next year.
"We felt, with Josh and Bryn already secured, it would be great to have a player that would complement that group and be able to make a real contribution to the team," says Highlanders coach Aaron Mauger.
"To be able to secure a quality guy and former Highlander like Marty for 2019 is a real bonus. Marty is exactly what we were looking for and will fit seamlessly into the team."
Banks admits he thought he had played his last game for the Highlanders.
"To get another crack to play in the jersey is pretty special," he says. "Obviously, I have some fond memories of my time there.
"I really enjoyed my time living in Dunedin and playing for the Highlanders, so I'm absolutely looking forward to getting back down here."
The squad features seven newcomers, including Auckland lock Jack Whetton, son of former All Blacks captain Gary Whetton, and former Wallabies prop Sef Fa'agase.
The full 2019 Highlanders Super Rugby squad is:
Hookers - Liam Coltman, Ash Dixon, Ray Niuia*
Props - Daniel Lienert-Brown, Josh Iosefa-Scott*, Ayden Johnstone*, Siate Tokolahi, Tyrel Lomax, Sef Fa'agase*
Locks - Tom Franklin, Jackson Hemopo, Paripari Parkinson, Josh Dickson, Jack Whetton*
Loose forwards - Luke Whitelock, Liam Squire, James Lentjes, Dillon Hunt, Marino Mikaele Tu’u, Shannon Frizell, Elliot Dixon
Halfbacks - Aaron Smith, Kayne Hammington, Folau Fakatava*
First-fives - Bryn Gatland*, Josh Ioane, Marty Banks
Midfielders - Rob Thompson, Patelesio Tomkinson, Teihorangi Walden, Richard Buckman, Matt Faddes, Thomas Umaga-Jensen
Outside backs - Waisake Naholo, Tevita Li, Tevita Nabura, Josh McKay, Ben Smith
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