Cronulla has agreed to release veteran Matt Moylan, with the five-eighth signing a two-year deal with English Super League side Leigh.
After falling out of the starting side in the second half of last season, the Sharks allowed Moylan to leave with a year remaining on his current deal.
Moylan, who played three State of Origin games for the Blues and one Test for Australia in 2016, was demoted for Braydon Trindall as Nicho Hynes’ halves partner in the lead-up to the finals, and was not named in Cronulla’s team for the club’s week one finals loss to the Roosters.
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Leigh, who won the 2023 Challenge Cup final under head coach Adrian Lam, released a statement confirming Moylan would join forces with Lachlan Lam in the halves.
“Adrian got on a plane and met with Matt and his agent, Allan Gainey, face to face,” football boss Chris Chester said.
“He was able to explain what we want as a club, what we are looking to achieve, and his own coaching philosophy.
“Matt is a world-class player and his CV speaks for itself. Everyone I’ve spoken to says he’s an unbelievable person, and one of those who leads with his actions on the field.
“Matt will take us to the next level. He’s a running half … a good goalkicker and he’s a good defender.
“It’s a huge statement of intent by the club and great for our town. It’s huge for us as a club that we have attracted a top-quality halfback over from the NRL.”