Former Test batter Nic Maddinson will return home to NSW next summer, with Josh Philippe also making the move to Sydney as he looks for a red-ball resurrection.
Blues officials confirmed their two big-name signings on Friday, with squad lists for states set to be announced next week.
Maddinson's move is significant given he made his Test debut while at the Blues in 2016, before being axed by the state less than 18 months later.
He rediscovered his best red-ball form for Victoria, named the state's top player in 2021-22 before hitting three centuries to end the most recent season.
But the 32-year-old told Victorian officials recently he wanted to return to NSW, with all wounds having seemingly healed after his 2018 departure.
Maddinson is also off contract with the Renegades in the BBL, and was dropped from the battling team last summer despite being the club's captain.
Philippe's move to Sydney is also crucial for his career.
Once viewed as the most talented rising wicketkeeper-batter in the country, Philippe struggled for runs last season with Western Australia.
He had also fallen behind Australia's white-ball wicketkeeper Josh Inglis in the pecking order in the west.
But he would now be expected to have greater opportunities in NSW, where he already plays in the BBL for the Sydney Sixers.
“Nic (Maddinson) and Josh (Philippe) bring experience and also a familiarity with our players, coaches and the NSW set-up, so their transition should be seamless,” coach Greg Shipperd said.
“Both Nic and Josh have played for their country, but we believe both have the ability to further develop their individual games and grow as cricketers and people."
NSW have other decisions to make around their contracts, with former Test bat and Blues captain Kurtis Patterson picked for only three Shield matches last summer.
