Gallen set to re-sign with Cronulla

Cronulla and NSW skipper Paul Gallen has reportedly agreed to a new one-year contract with the NRL club.

Network 9 reported that Gallen had agreed to terms with the club but had not yet signed, however was expected to do so in the coming days.

The Sharks are hoping to unveil his signing before their clash with Canberra on Saturday.

It is expected that Gallen will finish playing in the NRL after next season and spend a year in the English Super League.

Gallen has been locked in negotiations with the Sharks since the start of the year but has maintained a desire to be a one-club player.

One of the sticking points has been the club’s desire for Gallen to retire from representative football.

Coach Shane Flanagan and chief executive Lyall Gorman last month said they hoped Gallen would give up his NSW and Australian jerseys to concentrate on club duties.

The club is concerned about his ageing and injury-prone body. This year he has played just eight games for the Sharks after struggling with glute and rib problems.

However Gallen said he planned to play on with the Blues and Kangaroos.

“Things have been on the cusp here of getting done for the past couple of months, but (we) just haven’t gotten around to it,” Gallen said on Triple M last week.

Earlier in the year the 33-year-old expressed a desire to have one more season in the NRL with the Sharks before moving overseas in 2017.

“Another year (would be ideal),” he said in February.

“I know I’m getting on in age but this is the first time I’ve done a pre-season before Christmas since 2007. It’s been a really long time because of the tours I’ve been on.

“Physically I’m still right up there in terms of strength and fitness, so I’m not falling behind in areas there and still training really good and I still really love the sport.

“I think one more year and then I’ve always said I wouldn’t mind going overseas.”

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