Former Australian opener David Warner has penned a two-year deal with the Sydney Thunder, committing for the entirety of the 14th edition of the Big Bash League.

The 37-year-old, who retired from international cricket earlier this year, will once again don lime green this summer in a massive boost for the western Sydney club.

“(There’s a) great bunch of people, a great coach and I’ve always been a part of Thunder,” Warner said.

“I really liked the environment last year, the group we had brought a lot of energy. This year, I think we can go a couple of steps better.”

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Warner has played ten games for the Thunder since his Big Bash debut in 2011, scoring 301 runs at 37.62 with a strike rate of 135.58.

He scored the Thunder’s first BBL century during the competition’s maiden season, an unbeaten 102 (51) against cross-town rivals the Sydney Sixers in 2011.

Warner will be joined at the Thunder by the likes of England wicketkeeper Sam Billings, rising star Ollie Davies and former Test opening partner Cameron Bancroft.

Following the BBL’s completion in January next year, he will link up with the Dubai Capitals in the United Arab Emirates’ ILT20.

The Thunder finished bottom of the BBL standings last summer after mustering one win from ten group-stage matches.

Warner, currently representing Boca Raton Trailblazers in the MAX60 competition, a ten-over tournament in the Cayman Islands, made 50 runs in two appearances for the Thunder last season.

“This upcoming season is hopefully going to be a better one than last year,” Warner continued.

“The group of guys that we had last season really brought a lot of energy, we had a lot of fun on the field, but off the field we gelled very well together … and this year, I think we can go a couple of steps better and play some play some good cricket.

“We’ve got great talent in the team, a good bunch of young kids as well, so hopefully that can (push us) further than last season.”

Earlier on Tuesday, three of Australia’s Test stars penned multi-year deals with their respective Big Bash franchises.

Australian opener Steve Smith signed on for three more seasons with the Sixers, Test wicketkeeper Alex Carey penned a four-year contract extension with the Adelaide Strikers, while Queensland batter Marnus Labuschagne will again represent the Brisbane Heat this summer.

Warner and Smith could potentially lock horns in a BBL Sydney derby at the SCG on January 17.

“Who better to announce is coming back to Western Sydney and Sydney Thunder on the day BBL tickets go on sale than David Warner,” Sydney Thunder General Manager Trent Copeland said in a statement.

“We are a family club with strong links to the areas we represent, and Davey is a very proud family man who engages within our community like few others.

“Davey is popular wherever he plays, right around the world, particularly in India and I know the South Asian communities in Sydney’s west will get right behind him at Thunder.

“In Davey we get a world-class talent with almost 20 years of T20 experience and now that he has retired from international cricket, we can count on his full focus and commitment for the entire tournament, including the finals.

“It’s very exciting for our club, especially our loyal members and fans.”