Kade Snowden's last-minute decision to renege on a deal with Cronulla finally paid off on Tuesday with the Test front rower agreeing to a rich four-year deal with Newcastle.

Snowden will return to his junior club in 2012 as the first key signing by new owner Nathan Tinkler, the deal worth an estimated $1.6 million over the duration of the contract.

It was Tinkler's late phone call - before he had even assumed control of the Knights - that prompted Snowden to pull out of a press conference to announce his re-signing with the Sharks back in February.

While his move to the Knights seemed certain once Tinkler's takeover proved successful, the appointment of Wayne Bennett as coach had thrown some doubt into the equation given Bennett's known dislike for paying big money for front rowers.

But Snowden's capture is a major fillip for the new ownership group, the Test front rower - who made his Australian debut in last Friday's win over New Zealand - the first current international ever signed by the club.

"I am really excited to be returning home to Newcastle at a time when the club is going through such an amazing transformation," Snowden said in a statement released by the club.

"You can really feel the excitement that the Tinkler Group has brought to the Hunter region and Newcastle Knights fans. I feel honoured to be part of these exciting times.

"I have been fortunate to play under some great coaches in my short career and I am now keen to learn from one of the greatest in Wayne Bennett."

Snowden made his top grade debut with the Knights in 2005, but his career really took off when he shifted to the Sharks in 2008.

He made his NSW debut last season and earned a green and gold jumper after Canberra front rower David Shillington withdrew from the Australian squad.

But his defection leaves the Sharks without their starting front row for next season, with Luke Douglas to link up with Gold Coast.

Sharks football manager Darren Mooney said the loss of the key duo would free up salary cap space for the club to chase several free agents.

"This now puts us in an extremely strong position to go after players on the open market," Mooney said.

"Kade's made up his mind, and while it's disappointing for us, we wish him all the best.

"He's still here for the rest of this year and I'm sure he'll be giving us all he's got before he goes."

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