Darius Boyd never thought he’d return to the Broncos after his tearful exit from the NRL club in 2008.

But Boyd was officially unveiled at Brisbane’s Red Hill headquarters on Monday alongside his long-time mentor Wayne Bennett, three weeks after being released by Newcastle.

A very different Boyd faced the media after he spent the last two months of the NRL season on sabbatical, checking into a mental health facility seeking treatment for depression.

Gone was the player who went to unusual lengths to avoid the media.

Boyd on Monday appeared relaxed, happy and thoughtful as he spoke for almost 10 minutes alongside the only man who has coached him at NRL level.

He debuted as an 18-year-old under Bennett at Brisbane in 2006 and followed the master mentor to St George Illawarra, where Boyd won a premiership and the Clive Churchill Medal in 2010, and later Newcastle.

Boyd admitted he did not think he would go back to Red Hill after being told he was not wanted six years ago.

Bennett revealed Boyd never wanted to follow him to the Dragons but agreed after an emotional meeting with the Broncos powerbrokers at the end of the 2008 season.

“He came back with tears in his eyes and said `what do I do coach?'” Bennett said.

“I said `you can come with me.’ The rest is history.”

Boyd added: “That’s exactly what happened.

“I didn’t know a lot about the business side of things, about salary caps at the time.

“I did want to stay but it didn’t work out.

“I went away and had some great years at different clubs, they were great to me in different ways but I am really excited to be back.”

Boyd admitted his “heart is pumping a little” as he faced the media in Broncos colours.

“I am excited. It is something I never thought would happen,” he said.

“I am looking forward to a new chapter and a fresh start.

“Brisbane is a great place to do that – it’s home to me.”

Boyd admitted there would be pressure on him wearing the Broncos No.1 jersey next year after the club ditched Josh Hoffman and Ben Barba to clear salary cap space to cater for his three-year, $1.2 million deal.

However, he felt he could handle most situations after months of off-field soul searching.

“I have sorted out a few family things, ways I can handle things in situations,” he said.

“I learned a lot when I went away to the clinic.

“I have made a lot of plans, now I just need to put them into action.”