Paul Gallen re-signs with Cronulla Sharks in NRL

Omnisports

September 21, 2016 2:03 AM

Captain Paul Gallen has re-committed to the Cronulla Sharks, extending his stay into the 2017 NRL season.

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Cronulla Sharks captain Paul Gallen has re-signed with the NRL club for another year.

Gallen, 35, will extend his career with the Sharks into an 18th season after agreeing to a one-year extension.

The veteran, who has played 277 first-grade games, said he always intended to stay with the club he debuted with in 2001.

"I'm definitely pleased. There was never really any doubt it was going to happen," Gallen told the club's website.

"I wasn't really focused on chasing it up, we're more focused on playing the games at the moment and getting wins. Obviously the past couple of weeks I've had a bit of a sore back so been concentrating on that.

"There was never any doubt I was going to play here next year and really excited for what will probably be my last year, you never say never in this game, you don't know what's going to happen.

"But I'm certainly excited to be here for another year."

Sharks chief executive Lyall Gorman was delighted with the re-signing of Gallen, who has made 32 appearances for Australia.

"I think everyone knows he's been our traditional leader on the field and off the field," he said.

"He's our spiritual leader off it and no greater clubman has the club had in the history of the game on the field so we're really proud and excited.

"We're looking forward to the next two weeks but also looking forward to another year with Paul as our club leader."

The Sharks are into a preliminary final and face the North Queensland Cowboys on Friday.

Omnisports

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