With last year's disappointing NRL season now just a bad memory the Warriors are continuing to build for next year - but the latest addition to the squad is a massive surprise.

A number of stars have already left Mt Smart and the Warriors faithful are looking for some big names to help shape new coach Matt Elliot's first season in charge.

But recently retired New Zealand-born centre George Carmont isn't likely to be high up on that list.

Carmont has NRL experience with the Newcastle Knights, but has spent the last four years suiting up for Wigan Warriors in the Super League.

The 34-year-old is now going to spend two weeks training with the top team at Mt Smart to see if he is fit enough for another tough season.

It comes just weeks after the Samoan captain told the BBC he was definitely retiring.

"I know I've been saying it for the last couple of years but this year it's a bit different to the way I was feeling last year," he said.

"Twelve months ago I wasn't sure whether the club would want to keep me. When they did ask me, I was pretty happy and I just had to tell my kids and my partner that we were going to delay the move.

"This year feels different. It's like it's time to go home."

It's unlikely he was thinking of a season in the NRL when he thought about heading home - and even less likely the Mt Smart fans will be happy with the potential signing.

But the popular star may just have left in the tank to make an impression for his home-town team.