Controversial former Wallabies player Israel Folau has signed a one-year contract to play rugby league in Europe, joining the Catalan Dragons in the south of France.

Key points: The league's governing body expressed concern, but said it was the right of clubs to sign players

The league's governing body expressed concern, but said it was the right of clubs to sign players Some players in the league, including openly gay pioneer Keegan Hirst, slammed the news

Some players in the league, including openly gay pioneer Keegan Hirst, slammed the news Folau said he would be keeping his views private in future

Joining the Super League marks Folau's first return to the field after he was sacked by Rugby Australia last year for making homosexual slurs on social media.

"Of course it's a risk," Yanic Rey, media manager at the Catalan Dragons, told the ABC.

"We know what he did, it's the past now and we ask him to keep his opinion for him[self] in the future."

The European rugby league season begins later this week, but Folau will not make his debut until next week at the earliest.

Israel Folau in action for the Wallabies against the All Blacks in 2017. ( AAP: Dave Hunt )

"He will have to pass physical, then medical tests with our Australian conditioning and medical staff at the club. He hasn't played for a while, so we need to make sure he is fit and ready to play," Mr Rey said.

In a statement, Catalans Dragons chairman Bernard Guasch said they "want to give Israel a new opportunity to shine on the pitch".

"We do not support or agree with Israel's previously expressed and controversial views, which are based upon his sincerely held religious belief," Mr Guasch said.

Folau's contract was terminated by Rugby Australia last May after he posted to social media that homosexuals, among others, would go to hell.

Folau then sued Rugby Australia, seeking $14 million in compensation, for unlawful dismissal.

Rugby Australia and Folau settled the matter out of court and in a statement, said Folau's commentary was based on "genuinely held religious beliefs".

In November, Folau claimed the bushfires were God's punishment for legalising abortion and same-sex marriage.

Following the announcement of this new contract, Folau released a short statement: "I acknowledge the views expressed by Super League and the Rugby Football League."

"I'm a proud Christian, my beliefs are personal, my intention is not to hurt anyone and I will not be making further public comment about them," he said.

"I look forward to my return to the great game of rugby league with the Catalans Dragons."

Some players in the league immediately slammed the move.

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Britain's first openly gay rugby league player, Keegan Hirst of the Halifax Rugby League Club, said he was "shocked and disappointed" by the signing.

"Our great game is tasked with fighting against homophobia and standing up for the values it puts such high stock in," he said.

"It shows none of the bravery, camaraderie or integrity the RFL [Rugby Football League] expects from its players, staff and fans."

Minutes before the signing was made official, fellow Super League team Wigan Warriors announced their round six match in March against the Dragons would be "Pride Day".

"Here at Wigan Warriors we are committed to the core values of Inclusion and Respect," Club Executive director Kris Radlinski said.

"I think that today more than any day that it is vitally important we reiterate that message".

Players will wear rainbow laces and socks for the clash.

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As part of the deal with Folau, the Catalan Dragons said it had signed an agreement with the Rugby Football League, which oversees the league, and any transgressions would trigger an immediate termination of Folau's contract.

The club would also incur a substantial fine. It's unclear how much the club could be penalised.

Folau's return to the field appears to sit uneasily with the RFL.

"This is a difficult decision," the RFL said in a statement, adding that it "deplores the player's previous comments".

"However, the moral responsibility for deciding whether to sign a player sits with individual clubs.

"The player has not been charged or found guilty of any criminal offence."

In a strongly worded statement, Super League Executive Chairman Robert Elstone said the League "deplores the homophobic comments Israel Folau has made in the past, which squarely contradict our sport's core values".

"I have sought the opinion of informed voices connected to our game, and the majority share my disappointment that one of our clubs has chosen to sign him.

"There is a strong feeling that the decision to sign him lets down many people connected to our sport."

Matt Webb, chairman of the Kings Cross Steelers in London, the world's first gay rugby club, said he was disappointed by the news.

"Well, obviously he was made clear that he was not welcome in the Australian league. It's sad that they didn't make it equally as clear that he wouldn't be welcomed in the European League, but they don't have a veto over what clubs do," he said.

"I think we have to watch and wait and see what happens with his behaviour. He's made a comment that he won't be making any public comments in the future.

"His previous and most controversial post — which started all of this — is still live on his Instagram and I think that says huge volumes."

Last year, England's number eight Billy Vunipola was issued a warning after making homophobic remarks on social media — and liking Folau's controversial post.

If the response he faced from fans was anything to go by, Folau will face a tough crowd when he takes the pitch.

"There was a case in Bristol of 'It's Raining Men' [being] played to Billy Vunipola after comments that he made," Mr Webb said.

"So, I think you know there will be some rugby humour about it. But it'll be very clear and very in your face that we stand for diversity and we stand as a country and in sport for inclusion and your comments aren't welcome."

Andrew Purchas, the founder of advocacy group Pride in Sport, said he was "really surprised" by the Dragons' decision.

"Of course, they're within their rights, but they've got to look at what does that mean? What does that mean for their kind of moral code?

"What does it mean for their fans, for the other players?

"I think that they're on a hiding to nothing and I think forewarned is forearmed. But I think that there's going to be a lot more trouble for them and for the sport.

"The focus over the last 12 months, the financial impact it's had on the game, the split it's caused, has been somewhat devastating.

"He [Folau] has failed to understand how important his words can be and how it can affect the LGBQI community."

Asked about the timing of the announcement, Purchas said:

"If there's a silver lining to his signing with the Catalan Dragons, it's the fact that there may be such a public outcry from the fans of the European Rugby League, the fans of the Catalan Dragons, other people who are involved with the sport — one, demonstrating about what he's said previously and two, saying how important inclusiveness is in sport generally."