Australian international Paul Gallen will not be making his anticipated move to Super League next year.
After expressing a desire to move to Super League for almost two years, the Cronulla star is expected to sign a one-year contract extension at the NRL leaders in what could well be his final season.
Gallen, who turns 35 next week, had previously told the media he would be keen on spending a year in Super League, while in 2015 he said he would like a one-year extension at the Sharks, which would take him to the end of the current season.
After announcing his State of Origin retirement, it appeared that a long-awaited move to Super League was on the cards. However, he now looks likely to stay put Down Under.
Instead, Gallen is set to join an elite band of players who have played for one-club and made over 300 career appearances.
“At club level I want to do that,” Gallen told the AAP. “At Origin level I have had my time there but I really enjoy my club football and I wouldn’t mind playing on, we just have to nut that out.”
Gallen’s Cronulla team-mate Wade Graham was pleased to hear that his captain looks set to stay at Shark Park.
“For me he is still doing the job at a high level, he is competing every week. He has been great for the club the whole year and no doubt he will be if he does one more year.”
Gallen has been linked with a number of Super League clubs in the past, namely Salford, with Marwan Koukash understood to be keen on utilising the marquee player rule.