| Flanker Richard Parks has returned to his home region on a two-year deal. The four-times capped Wales international has been released by French side Perpignan and had spells with Pontypridd, the Celtic Warriors and Leeds after he left Newport in the pre-regional era.
He will add European experience to a Heineken Cup competitors' pack which already boasts Nic Fitisemanu, Joe Bearman, Colin Charvis, Michael Owen and Jamie Ringer, and emerging talent Dan Lydiate, James Harris and Lewis Evans.
And Parks hopes the move back to Wales will improve his chances of winning a recall to the national squad.
"I still feel I am good enough to play for Wales," he told the Western Mail. "It's a really competitive environment in the national squad, with a lot of good players coming through, which is fantastic for Wales.
"But I certainly believe I have the ability to get back there. The desire to play for my country again was obviously a factor to come back to Wales.
"But, for me, the most important thing is getting back to full fitness and trying to cement my place with the Dragons."
Head Coach Paul Turner said, "We tracked Richard 15 months ago and tried to get him from Leeds but it wasn't to be but better late than never.
"I have always regarded Richard as a very good player and he is highly rated in Wales and had a couple of great seasons in Leeds which culminated in them clinching the Powergen Cup.
"He is a local lad and it was always my intention to bring local players back to the region."
Parks has started pre-season training already with the team and is the third Welsh player the Dragons have brought back to Wales this season.
Also joining the region is South African prop Alistair Lyon who plays at loose head. He spent a season in France last year with Racing Club Chalonnais and before that he played for Border Bulldogs in South Africa for three years.
Lyon has British ancestry and will link up with the Dragons once his visa is confirmed. He will challenge for the number one shirt with Adam Black and Hugh Gustafson.
"Alistair comes highly recommended and we have had him watched. He adds to our prop strength which is much needed for the competitions we play in. It will be good for Adam Black to have stiff competition from Alistair and from the youngster Hugh Gustafson," Turner added.
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