IT IS the news all Cronulla fans have been desperately waiting to hear.
The Sharks announced yesterday that inspirational captain Paul Gallen had signed a one-year contract extension with the club that will allow him to see out his career at Cronulla and play representative football for NSW in 2016.
The deal also guarantees the 251-game veteran at least a three-year post-playing career in an ambassador role with the club and allows him to pursue his boxing career in the off season.
Gallen told the Leader being the face of the Sharks in the community at the end of his career meant a lot to him.
"That was something that was important to me, and I think it's important for the club too," he said.
"I look at other clubs like the Roosters and the Bulldogs and Melbourne and some of the real powerhouses of the competition, I look at their support staff and who they've got around the club and they've got their biggest names.
"The reason that I came to this club was for ET [Andrew Ettingshausen] and David Peachey and Jason Stevens and Adam Dykes and all guys like that. We don't even see them any more. Which isn't their fault I might add.
"That's something I want to change in the culture of this place and help the young kids coming through and help the community as well."
The 33-year-old's place at the club had come under speculation this year as negotiations dragged on and Gallen suffered from glute and rib injuries.
Cronulla chief executive Lyall Gorman said the delay had been caused only by the finer points of the ambassador role and that it was a great day for the club.
"I think it's fair to say in the modern era of football one-club players are extremely rare," he said.
"Probably the only thing from the mantelpiece missing is a premiership for our club, and that's been a major focus for both of us in these last couple of months.
"We're really excited. I think it's fair to say Paul is an icon of the game, not just our club.
"He's behind ET only in number of games for our club and there's no doubt he will go down in the annals of history as one of the greats."
Though injuries have made it tough for Gallen in recent years, he said he was confident of staying healthy next year and possibly enjoying a year in the English Super League.
Gallen had a simple message for Sharks fans as they enter the run home to the finals.
"Thanks for your support," he said.
"It's been a couple of tough years but thanks for your support.
"It means a lot. Just stick with us."
GALLEN STATS
Made his Sharks debut against Parramatta on June 3, 2001, at Toyota Park.
251 games for Cronulla (54 tries)
21 State of Origin appearances for NSW
31 Tests for Australia