“Strong rumours” Cameron Smith has signed with Gold Coast Titans for 2021 NRL season

There are "strong rumours" that Melbourne Storm legend Cameron Smith has signed with the Gold Coast Titans for the 2021 season, according to ABC's Zane Bojack.

Bojack took to social media to share reports that the 37-year old will extend his NRL career into a 19th season up north.

"Hearing very strong rumours that Cam Smith has signed with @GCTitans.. however club denying this is the case. Very interested to see how this plays out.. #CamWatch," he posted on Twitter.

The Titans have continuously denied links to Smith - whose family relocated to Queensland at the end of last season.

Hearing very strong rumours that Cam Smith has signed with @GCTitans.. however club denying this is the case. Very interested to see how this plays out.. #CamWatch

— Zane Bojack (@zanofc) February 16, 2021

The 430-gamer originally said he would decide his future by Christmas, but is still yet to make a call just a month out from the season proper.

Fox Sports' James Hooper reported last month that Smith was spotted at a Gold Coast Titans under 19s trial in Coffs Harbour, with coach Justin Holbrook and new recruit Tino Fa’asuamaleuai also in attendance.

While it should be noted that Smith was in northern NSW with ex-Storm teammate Matt Geyer, whose son Cole plays in the Gold Coast under 19s side, it added fuel to Smith's link to the Titans.

Storm coach Craig Bellamy told The Daily Telegraph last month he was still unsure on Smith’s plans but would hold nothing against him if he moved to a rival club.

“I don’t know how I’d feel (about that) until it happened,” the triple-premiership coach said.

“I probably wouldn’t like it that much, but like I’ve said all along, whatever is right for him and his family I’ll back them up all the way.

“If he ends up playing with another club and he believed that was the best thing for him and his family, then that’s great and I’ll go along with that knowing we’ve had the best out of him for the longest period of time.

“No one would begrudge what decision he comes up with.”

Storm boss Frank Ponissi told SEN radio yesterday that the club was currently preparing for its 2021 season without Smith.

While the Storm are planning to be without Smith, they are also prepared for his decision to go the other way.

“At the moment, we’re planning life without Cameron,” he added.

“But, if that were to change late, we’d also be ready for that as well.”

Smith has played 430 NRL games all for Melbourne since making his first-grade debut in 2002 and just won his third premiership with the club.

He turns 38 later this year.