The new Gold Coast NRL franchise will turn its attention to securing NSW prop Luke Bailey by next week after the club unveiled Preston Campbell as its inaugural signing.

Campbell inked a three year deal with the Gold Coast late on Tuesday night and will spearhead the club into its debut season in 2007.

The Penrith livewire appears almost certain to be joined on the tourist strip by Bailey, who was given permission by St George-Illawarra to open negotiations with other clubs before the June 30 anti-tampering deadline.

Bailey has already indicated his desire to move to Queensland after completing one more season with the Dragons.

His manager Allan Gainey, who also manages Campbell, has been on the Gold Coast since early this week and will continue talks with club officials on behalf of his client on Thursday.

Campbell, who made his first grade debut with the now defunct Gold Coast Chargers in 1998, said the lure of finishing his career where it started was too good of an opportunity to pass up.

But the 2001 Dally M player of the year winner admitted to being nervous before he finally revealed his decision to Panthers coach John Lang.

"I was a bit scared actually," Campbell said about approaching Lang, despite getting the club's permission to conduct talks with the Coast before June 30.

"They knew I was very interested in coming back up but that didn't make it any easier for me."

Campbell said he would "throw his hat in the ring" to captain the side under the direction of newly-appointed head coach and Roosters assistant John Cartwright.

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