The 25-year-old was without a club in 2019 after being let go by the Panthers, fitting solo training sessions around shifts working road crew.

The Dragons threw him a lifeline in the shape of a bare bones two-year deal. He'll now extend his stint in Wollongong after inking two-year extension keeping him at the club until the end of 2023.

The sweetener is a piece of NRL history, with sister and fellow Indigenous All-Star Taliah also signing on with the Dragons for the upcoming NRLW season - a brother and sister playing with the same club a first for the game.

Dragons general manager of football Ben Haran labelled the Fuimaono announcement a momentous day for the club.

"Tyrell has demonstrated that he is an extremely capable NRL player and we're looking forward to seeing him continue his impressive development over the coming two seasons," general manager of football Ben Haran said.

"Our commitment to the women's game has also allowed us to provide an opportunity to Taliah. She will be given every opportunity to make a spot in the halves her own this upcoming NRLW season.

"Not only is the announcement a proud day for St George Illawarra but also the entire of the Fuimaono family and we're looking forward to having them both on board."

It will see Tyrell build on the 30 games he's played in the red v, while for Taliah, it's a reward for persistence having endured and ACL tear and two shoulder reconstructions in her young career.

Read more: Jack Bird retains fullback role as St George Illawarra prepare for Penrith test

She bounced back with a maiden Indigenous All-Stars jumper this year followed by a stellar campaign for NSW Women's Premiership heavyweights Mounties alongside Dragons star Keeley Davis.

The pair were denied a grand final appearance by the Sydney COVID outbreak that saw the NSWRL abandon its major competitions this week, but they will now link up at the elite level in November.

Tyrell said inking the deal with his little sister was a proud moment for the family.

"It's a special occasion for a lot of us but particularly for my mum Michelle and my sister," Tyrell said.

"Mum is rapt. She's never missed a game of mine or of Taliah, we have always been her number one priority every weekend.

"To be able to have us both play at the highest level in front of her after all the time and effort she has contributed throughout our journeys and careers is very rewarding. Mum's endless support has made this possible.

"Extending for another two years is special too, my mindset has constantly changed from when I first signed and throughout my time at the Dragons.

"Football is absolutely my main focus in my life and I'm now very keen on finding consistency in my performances."

Consistency has been hard to come by this season due to spending seven weeks on the sidelines through different suspensions, though performances around that have been strong.

Taliah said the dual signing came as a surprise.

"I'm excited to finally have a breakthrough in my career although I didn't expect it to come so soon," Taliah said.

"Overall this is such a huge deal for our mum and our family. It's going to be a huge change for me but one that will be made even more special now that Tyrell and I get to be at the Dragons together."

Tyrell will be one of few familiar faces in what will be a new-look forward pack in 2022, with England international George Burgess and Queensland Origin duo Francis Molo and Jaydn Su'A shifting to Wollongong next year.

Taliah is the 12th player added to the Dragons NRLW roster.