A former NSW representative forward, Pangai announced last August he would leave Canterbury at the end of the 2023 season, forgoing a salary of around $750,000 in 2024.
But the 28-year-old began angling for a return to rugby league in March this year while playing under ex-NRL star Karmichael Hunt at QRL side Souths Logan.
AAP reported last month Pangai had held informal talks with Brisbane and Melbourne.
But on Friday, Pangai signed a short-term deal to join the Dolphins under Wayne Bennett, the coach who handed him his NRL debut at the Broncos in 2016.
"I am really looking forward to Tevita getting back on the field and I am so glad it is with the Dolphins," said Bennett.
"He is a good player that I have always enjoyed coaching, and I think he will be a strong addition to our squad."
The five-time Tongan international beefs up a Dolphins forward pack missing star players Tom Gilbert and Tom Flegler to injury.
Capable of playing either on an edge or through the middle, Pangai had been one of the NRL's most damaging forwards on his day, making a total of 138 first-grade appearances across stints with the Broncos, Penrith and Bulldogs.
He featured in the Panthers' run to the 2021 grand final, though missed their win in the decider through injury, and made his State of Origin debut for NSW in game one last year.
Pangai fought three times after quitting rugby league to pursue boxing, losing his most recent bout against Kenny Niko last month to take his record to 4-1-0.
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