Brandon Smith is set to join the Rabbitohs in the coming days.
The maligned Roosters hooker is on-track to secure a mid-season switch to South Sydney "by the end of the week", according to News Corp.
Smith was confirmed to be joining the Redfern-based club for the 2026 and 2027 seasons, but is now expected to make the move earlier than expected.
The 28-year-old is currently recovering from an ACL injury.
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He is due back in approximately six weeks.
Currently on a reported $850,000 a year deal with the Tricolours, Smith is set to earn $600,000 per season with his new club.
As per News Corp's report, Souths will have to pay roughly $180,000 to secure the New Zealand international's services this campaign.
Smith joined the Roosters from the Storm in 2023.
He made 41 appearances for the Tricolours but failed to make as significant of an impact as expected, with Connor Watson now their starting hooker.
"It's a good move for him. Wayne [Bennett] is obviously a great coach, and he gets to stay in the area he's really enjoyed and it's a position they want to fill as well," Roosters coach Trent Robinson told Wide World of Sports in March.
"I know there's a lot of rivalry between the clubs, but Brandon has been really clear and we've been really clear so it's been a clean move."
'The Cheese' could battle with Peter Mamouzelos and Siliva Havili for the No. 9 jersey at the Rabbitohs, or play a utility role similar to his previous stint in Melbourne.