He's been a Titan and a Tiger in the world's toughest rugby league arena, but next season Ben Jeffery will sport colours of a very different kind.

The ex-NRL star has signed with his former junior club Griffith Waratah-Tigers, in what has been hailed as a monumental coup for the powerful Group 20 outfit.

In another example of rugby league's revolving door, the Waratahs announced Jeffery's signing within days of losing star five-eighth Kose Lelei to the Canterbury Bulldogs.

Jeffery, 22, who has returned home to Griffith after failing to have his contract at the Titans renewed, said the Waratah-Tigers was a "natural choice" for him.

"My cousin (Kodie Charles) is coaching next year and it's my junior club so it was an easy decision," Jeffery said.

"I'm actually really looking forward to enjoying my footy without the same pressure as I had in the NRL."

He said while he still harboured ambitions to return to the NRL, he would use 2010 to take stock of his career.

"I just needed a break from it all and depending how I go with the Waratahs, I'll decide whether to have another go at NRL level," Jeffery said.

"It was exciting to play in the NRL and I made a lot of good friends, but it was pretty stressful and I did a couple of silly, off-field things."

Jeffery said he was hopeful of getting closer to the action next season and slotting into the vacant five-eighth position.

"We've got a good crew at the Tahs, a good mix of old-heads and young talent and I think we'll go really well," he said.

Waratah-Tigers president Ken Wells said the club was elated at the signing.

"Everyone is over the moon and it's great to have an NRL first grader and former junior come back to the club," Wells said.

"There's no reason he can't make the country side if he has a good year.

"He'll be a big drawcard for the club and a good replacement for Kose."