It was the Canberra Raiders' history, the chance to learn off two of the best front-rowers in the game and the fact the capital was "the spot" for his young family that drew him to the NRL club.
Now he's here, Pasami Saulo has his sights set on being part of the Green Machine for round one against the North Queensland Cowboys in Townsville on March 4.
Saulo signed a two-year deal to join the Raiders, having played 27 NRL games for the Newcastle Knights and an NRL All Stars game for the Maori side.