article: England international Sam Tomkins rejected an offer from Warrington in order to return to Wigan. The 2012 Super League Man of Steel is to cut short his stay in the NRL with New Zealand Warriors and rejoin his home-town club on a four-year contract from 2016. The announcement was made by Wigan chairman Ian Lenagan at half-time in Thursday night's First Utility Super League derby with Warrington, who were the other club after his signature once he announced he was returning to Super League. Sam Tomkins has agreed to rejoin Wigan after cutting short his stay in the NRL with New Zealand Warriors . 'Yes, I was speaking with a couple of clubs but it was always going to be between Wigan and Warrington,' Tomkins told Sky Sports News from Auckland. 'They showed a bit of interest and are successful. I thought about it but in the end the pull to go back to Wigan and play alongside my two brothers was too big. It's special playing alongside them - I've played alongside them in Super League but never together.' Tomkins, who left Wigan at the end of their 2013 Grand Final triumph, sought a release from the last 12 months of his three-year contract with the Auckland-based Warriors after becoming homesick. Wigan received a world record transfer fee, thought to be around £700,000, for Tomkins when they agreed to release him in September 2013 but retained first option to re-sign him in the event of him returning to Super League and have agreed a fee in excess of £200,000 to get him back. 'I am really happy to have this sorted and to be returning home to Wigan,' said Tomkins, who was greeted with a big cheer when he appeared on the big screen at the DW Stadium. Tomkins made 129 Super League appearances, scoring 107 tries, during his four-year stint at Wigan . 'All of my friends and family live in Wigan, a lot of them play for Wigan. It really was a no-brainer for me when I sat down and thought about things.' Tomkins, who celebrated his 26th birthday last month, becomes the third England international to rejoin Wigan in the last 12 months. Older brother Joel came back last June from a spell in rugby union with Saracens and prop forward Lee Mossop cut short his stay in the NRL with Parramatta at the end of last season. The return of Wigan's latest prodigal son was greeted with delight by home fans at the DW Stadium. Tomkins made his Wigan bow, at the age of 19, against Whitehaven in a fifth round Challenge Cup tie in May 2008, when he became the first player in rugby league history to score five tries on his first-grade debut. He went on to make 129 Super League appearances from 2009-13, in which he scored 107 tries. Thursday's announcement will signal the departure of Australian full-back Matt Bowen, who was signed as Tomkins' replacement, initially on a 12-month contract which was subsequently extended. The 26-year-old sought a release from the Warriors after becoming homesick . Tomkins, currently recovering from a knee injury, added: 'It's been a fantastic experience to test myself in the NRL but the reality is I am 13,000 miles away from my friends and family. 'When I left Wigan I always knew in my heart that I would return to play for the club one day and I am very excited at the thought of returning to the DW Stadium and pulling on that famous jersey once again. 'I have really enjoyed my time in New Zealand and can't thank everyone enough here as they have all done so much to make me feel welcome here since my arrival last year. 'My sole focus for the remainder of 2015 is to help the Warriors make the play-offs as we look to mount a serious challenge for the NRL Premiership.' Wigan coach Shaun Wane said: 'Once I heard Sam was looking to come back to England next year I knew we had to pull out all the stops to have him here. He is one of our own and a truly world-class player. 'Sam knows what we are all about here at Wigan. He understands our culture and our systems and will slot perfectly back into my squad. 'My thanks go to our chairman Ian Lenagan and rugby director Kris Radlinski who have worked tirelessly to make this happen.'
highlights: Wigan confirmed Sam Tomkins is to re-join the club during Thursday's derby against Warrington .
  The 26-year-old full back is to cut short his stay in the NRL with New Zealand Warriors .
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