SYDNEY, AUSTRALIA - APRIL 29: Paul Gallen of the Sharks looks on during the round nine NRL match between the Wests Tigers and the Cronulla Sharks at Leichhardt Oval on April 29, 2017 in Sydney, Australia. (Photo by Cameron Spencer/Getty Images)

Cronulla Sharks captain Paul Gallen has signed a one-year contract extension with the club and will play on in 2018.

Gallen put pen to paper on the new one year deal on Friday however not wanting to take the limelight away from teammate Luke Lewis's 300th game, requested the official announcement be delayed until after the match against Souths.

Himself approaching the 300-game milestone, Gallen was pleased with his form in 2017 and had no hesitation in pushing his NRL career into an 18th season.

"I'm very happy to sign for another year," Gallen told Sharks TV. "If I was a betting man you would probably say its my last contract, but you never say never and I'm enjoying my football at the moment.

"I haven't had any issues with the body this year, I think retiring my rep footy has been a plus for my body, but also for my mind."

Gallen began his career at the Sharks in 2001, debuting against the Eels in round 15.

From there he has gone on to play 297 NRL games, 32 Test matches for Australia and 24 Origin's for NSW, captaining the Blues in their series victory back in 2014.

The man who led the Sharks in 2016 and brought the NRL Premiership trophy back to the Sutherland Shire after 49 years of trying, had every confidence the squad assembled for 2018 can again be a premiership force.

"This year is the big focus but if you look at the squad for next year, most if not all the boys will be here and we will be adding Josh Dugan. We've also got some really good young players coming up," Gallen said.

"The future is looking really good for the club."

Sharks 2024 Player Movements

2024 Gains
Billy Burns (St George Illawarra Dragons, 2024), Michael Gabrael (Canterbury-Bankstown Bulldogs, 2026), Blake Hosking (2024)
2024 Losses
Wade Graham (retired), Tuku Hau Tapuha (released), Matt Ikuvalu, Matt Moylan (Leigh Leopards), Connor Tracey (Canterbury-Bankstown Bulldogs)
Re-Signed
Daniel Atkinson (2025), Jayden Berrell (2024), Kade Dykes (2025), Royce Hunt (2025), Nicho Hynes (2029), Sione Katoa (2026), William Kennedy (2025), Sam Stonestreet (2025), Siosifa Talakai (2026), Braydon Trindall (2025), Teig Wilton (2025)
Off Contract 2024
Jayden Berrell, Max Bradbury, Billy Burns, Mawene Hiroti, Kayal Iro, Niwhai Puru, Siteni Taukamo, Jack Williams

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