Former Germany international Podolski had been with Vissel since 2017, having joined the Japanese club from Galatasaray, and was linked with Malaysian champions Johor Darul Ta'zim after visiting their training ground.
The 34-year-old has instead returned to Turkey with Antalyaspor, who finished seventh last season but are in the relegation zone after 18 games in 2019-20.
World Cup winner and former Arsenal and Bayern Munich forward Podolski, who will wear the number 11 shirt for his new side, has also been in talks with Cologne over taking up a role at the German club following his retirement.
Former Germany forward Podolski, who now plies his trade for Antalyaspor in the Super Lig, promised to represent Haie if they could sell 100,000 virtual tickets.
The eight-time DEL champions achieved that target, ensuring they are able to compete in the 2020-21 campaign after avoiding bankruptcy proceedings.
And Podolski has vowed to keep to his word of playing for Haie - one of Germany's most famous clubs - in the coming season.
"I am extremely happy for the Haie (sharks), that we got the 100.000 tickets," he said. "I just want to say thank you to all the people and companies that helped us.
"Once everything is a little more calm we'll sit together with the club to see how this continues. Whatever it will look like: I am looking forward to being a Haie player."
Cologne-based Haie are coached by former Stanley Cup winner Uwe Krupp and finished 11th in last season's curtailed DEL season.
