Josh Curran will return to play on Country next season for the first time in nearly eight years.

In almost a new NRL experience, the 24-year-old from Sydney's west has signed a two-year deal to join Canterbury.

The last time the Darug man has played on the soil of his ancestors was at Parramatta back in the 2016 SG Ball Cup.

The following year he joined Sydney Roosters – the club based on Eora lands – for the NRL under-20s competition over two seasons.

Curran made a single appearance for the Tricolours in his NRL senior debut before shortly departing in a midseason transfer to the New Zealand Warriors.

The accomplished backrower spent four and a half years across the ditch in Aotearoa, playing 60 matches and scoring 12 tries predominantly coming off the bench.

The latest move to the Bulldogs only came about after the Auckland-based club agreed to release Curran from the final year of his contract.

"We recently advised Josh that it was unlikely we would be able to re-sign him beyond next year," Warriors chief executive Cameron George said in a statement.

"We told him we're happy for him to see out his contract, but if he did find an option that provided him with longer-term security to please come back and talk to us.

"We're pleased for him that he's found a new club and he leaves with our best wishes.

"We really appreciate the contribution Josh has made in his five seasons with us."

The hard-nosed Indigenous ball-runner arrived at Belmore on Thursday to put pen to paper ahead of the club's preseason that starts next month.

Bulldogs general manager of football is content that Curran can only further bolster a Canterbury forward pack that struggled somewhat in 2023.

Curran played 23 matches at the Warriors this year – his most appearances in a single season – that proved to be arguably his most consistent.

He made 547 tackles for the year, averaging 23.7 tackles per game, ran 1406 metres at 61 run metres each week, and made 29 tackle breaks while also scoring four tries.

"From the first time I saw Josh play, he looked like a Bulldog to me," Gould said on the Bulldogs' website.

"Once he became available, we just had to sign him up.

"At 24 years of age, his best football is clearly in front of him.

"We are very excited to have Josh in our club."

Curran has now joined Blake Taaffe at Canterbury since South Sydney failed to offer the Indigenous fullback a new contract in 2024.