Warrington have confirmed the signing of Australian star Andrew Johns.
The 31-year-old scrum-half has been given permission by club side Newcastle Knights to play in the final games of this year's Super League campaign.
Johns, twice voted the world's best player, has signed a short-term deal and will make his debut against champions Leeds on 11 September.
"I'm not motivated by money, I want to play in the big games and help Warrington win a Grand Final," he said.
"I have always harboured ambitions to come to Britain and I am very excited by the prospect of playing with Warrington.
"I will have no time to ease in, my first game is against Leeds, and it will be a big test but one I am looking forward to.
"I have been told the team are hard working and enthusiastic and hopefully I can add a bit of polish to them."
Johns has set his sights high as he prepares to embark on his time in Super League.
"I definitely see this as a step up and a new challenge," he said.
"I want to play in big games and they don't come any bigger than the Super
League Grand Final.
"I'm going over for the last two games, the semi-finals and then hopefully
the Grand Final."
The deal came about purely by chance, when Warrington owner Simon Moran bumped into Johns' agent John Fordham at the first Ashes Test at Lord's a fortnight ago.
Johns has been the NRL's outstanding individual player for the last 10 years with consistently excellent displays in the NRL and State of Origin, although injury has limited him to just 18 Test caps.
He is due to play in this year's Tri-Nations Series but Australia's opening game against New Zealand is on 15 October, the same day as the Super League Grand Final.
"There are a lot of ifs and buts," added Johns. "This is just hypothetical at the moment. We will cross that bridge when we come to it."
Warrington coach Paul Cullen was at pains to insist the signing would not bend Super League's strict salary cap or overseas quota rules.
"He will fit in with every rule and every bye-law - every problem will be resolved by the time Andrew arrives," said Cullen.
"Whatever the logistical problems involved in this it will all have been worth it. Even if it was for one game I would have done it.
"We are privileged to have him and I see this as a reward for the other players."
One of Warrington's other overseas players - Brent Grose, Nathan Wood and Graham Appo - will have to make way to clear room among the quota for Johns.
"The fact is clubs have the right to sign the best players in the world and we have made no secret of our ambition," added Cullen.
"I have spoken to the players affected, and my explanation was very simple and there will be a de-registration of one of those players."
MMIX
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Even if it was for one game I would have done it