The 20-year-old prop or back-rower was under contract to Bradford Bulls until the end of the 2010 season but the Super League club have agreed a compensation fee with the Rabbitohs.

Burgess, who has long held an ambition to play in the NRL, was pursued by a host of clubs but was swayed by a face-to-face meeting with Souths co-owner Russell Crowe, while he was in England filming Robin Hood.

"It's a fantastic deal for Sam," said Burgess' manager Chris Caisley. "He's highly delighted and really looking forward to testing himself at that level."

Burgess, who was Super League's young player of the year in 2007 when he made his Great Britain debut, will play for England in the end-of-season Gillette Four Nations series before linking up with his new club.

Burgess missed last year's World Cup in Australia through injury but played in England's 66-12 win over France in June and, having been named in coach Tony Smith's train-on squad, is a certainty to make the final cut for the Four Nations.

He will become one of only three Englishmen to play in the NRL in 2010. Burgess' England teammate Gareth Ellis has just completed a first season at Wests Tigers, where he will be joined next year by Wigan loose forward Mark Flanagan and will join Broncos star David Taylor and former Queensland Origin prop Ben Ross as Souths new signings for next season.

"Whilst I am excited about the prospect of playing in Australia, it has been a tough decision to make," he said.

"I have been at Bradford since I was 14 and have many friends at the club but playing in Australia has been an ambition since I was 15 and I am delighted that Souths have given me the opportunity to open a new chapter in my life.

"It's a good deal for both myself and the Bulls and I have really enjoyed my time at the Grattan Stadium.

"I am who I am today because of the Bradford Bulls systems that I have been in, because of the coaches and all the people at the club. Steve McNamara, in particular, has been a massive influence on my career.

"They have all been very influential, both for myself and my career and I won't be turning my back on them because further down the line I'd like to think I may come back one day."

Caisley added: "He could have more or less had his pick but he has chosen to go to Souths," said Caisley. "They did a very good PR job.

"They were one of the clubs able to take him under the salary cap and that was the starting point and, when we met Russell Crowe, Sam liked what he heard."