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Former Canterbury and St George Illawarra prop James Graham has officially rejoined St Helens after ending his outstanding eight-year NRL career last week.

James Graham has officially rejoined boyhood club St Helens after confirming his exit from St George Illawarra last week.

The England international has been one of the best props in the NRL since joining Canterbury, who he helped to two grand finals, in 2012 before signing the Dragons in 2017.

He has agreed on a contract until the completion of the 2020 Super League season, which restarts on August 1.

The England international has been signed as a replacement for Luke Thompson who linked up earlier than initially anticipated with the Bulldogs earlier this month.

The Liverpool-born front-rower, originally joined Saints as an 11 year-old and made 225 appearances for the club before moving to Sydney.

He was named Dally M prop of the year in 2014 and made 199 appearances, including finals matches, in the NRL before announcing his decision to leave the struggling Dragons to return home following the win over Gold Coast Titans on June 20.

"St.Helens has been a huge part of my life since I was a young boy," Graham told the St Helens website.

"An opportunity to rejoin the club I have watched from the stands is something I feel genuine excitement about.

"I want to thank the Dragons and everyone in the NRL for everything they have done for me and making this all possible."

St Helens coach Kristian Woolf, who coached against Graham during his time at Newcastle as an assistant to Nathan Brown and when he was put in temporary charge of the Knights last year, said he was delighted to get the deal done.

"I followed James' career in the NRL closely and given his profile and what he has achieved in the game, as an opposition coach, he is a player you make notes on and try and stop," Woolf said.

"He has real character and there are not many players who have played over 400 grade one games. What I have liked is his enthusiasm and desire to come back here and to be a part of our group."