Rabbitohs sign Ross

South Sydney will gamble on Ben Ross making a successful comeback from a serious neck injury, signing the Cronulla prop to a one-year deal.

Ross' career appeared over when he taken from Toyota Stadium with his neck cradled in a brace during the Sharks' Round 1 victory over Penrith.

Doctors doubted he would return to rugby league after undergoing delicate spinal surgery to repair a ruptured disc in his neck.

But in May he was given the all-clear to resume playing and will now take a pay cut to re-launch his career with Souths, pending a final medical clearance.

"Ben Ross is one of the game's best front-rowers and we're very pleased to be able to add him to our squad for 2010 pending his clearance by (physio) Errol Alcott and the club's medical team," Rabbitohs CEO Shane Richardson said on Monday.

"To be able to add a player of Ben's experience, aggression and power to our forward pack for next season is a real coup I'm sure all of our members will be looking forward to seeing him combine with the likes of Roy Asotasi, Michael Crocker, Luke Stuart, Issac Luke, Eddy Pettybourne, Scott Geddes and David Taylor in the red and green next season."