Paul Vaughan could be able to play in round one of the NRL for Canterbury next year after the banned prop was signed on a one-year deal by the Bulldogs.
Less than a month after being sacked by St George Illawarra for hosting an illegal barbecue during lockdown, Vaughan has been given a second chance in the NRL.
The former Kangaroos prop will join Canterbury at the start of next season, linking up with a raft of new recruits including fellow forward Tevita Pangai.
Crucially, the Bulldogs can push to have the eight games missed at the end of this season after being axed by the Dragons count towards Vaughan's ban of the same length.
"Paul is someone who will bring both ability and experience to our young pack for next season," Bulldogs coach Trent Barrett said.
"Everyone knows what a damaging ball-runner he is and the impact that he can have on a game and we believe that we will be able to harness that moving forward.
"I know that Paul is excited about the opportunity to come and join us and we believe that he still has a great deal to offer in the game."
Vaughan's bubble breach is still set to cost him, with the Bulldogs deal believed to be worth significantly less money than the $800,000 a season he was on at the Dragons.
He was also fined $50,000 by the NRL's integrity unity.
Along with Pangai, Vaughan's arrival will give the Bulldogs some strength up front, with Adam Elliott and Josh Jackson still featuring in Barrett's back row.
The club have already lured Matt Burton to their halves for next year, while Josh Addo-Carr will play on the wing and Matt Dufty at fullback.
It leaves the hooker role as the one position they have not recruited in, after trying hard to sign Melbourne dummy-half Brandon Smith.
Instead, the Bulldogs re-signed Jeremy Marshall-King on a two-year deal earlier this month.