Melbourne Storm has confirmed the signing of Parramatta Eels second-rower Kelma Tuilagi on a one-year contract for the 2027 NRL season.
The Victorian junior will return to Melbourne ahead of the 2027 preseason, rejoining the Club where he was a member of Storm's 2020 NRL squad.
Born in Samoa and raised in New Zealand before relocating to Melbourne, Tuilagi attended Hallam Senior College and came through the Victorian rugby league pathway with the Casey Warriors and Victorian Thunderbolts.
The 27-year-old has played 88 NRL games since making his first-grade debut in 2021, scoring 12 tries across spells with the Wests Tigers, Manly Warringah Sea Eagles and Parramatta Eels. He has also represented Samoa at international level.
Although he did not make an NRL appearance for Storm, Tuilagi was part of the Club's 2020 squad based on the Sunshine Coast during the COVID-19 pandemic, sharing in the Premiership-winning campaign before signing with the Wests Tigers in 2021.
Director of Football Frank Ponissi said the Club was thrilled to welcome Tuilagi back to Victoria.
"We're delighted to have Kelma returning to Melbourne Storm and Victoria in 2027," Ponissi said.
"Kelma has a strong connection to our Club. He was part of our 2020 Premiership-winning squad and came through the Victorian rugby league system, so it's fantastic to bring him back after he's established himself as an NRL player.
"He's a powerful, athletic forward who has continued to develop over the past few seasons. He'll add experience and physicality to our forward pack, and we're excited to see him back in a Storm jersey.”
