The Sharks have signed international Josh Dugan on a new contract effective at the start of the 2018 season.

The new contract for Dugan, who has played seven Test Matches for Australia and nine Origin’s for NSW, is for four years, meaning he has committed his future to our Club until the end of the 2021 season.

Sharks coach Shane Flanagan was delighted to have secured the services of one of the leading outside backs currently playing in the NRL competition.

“Josh will bring quality and experience to our backline next year and to sign the current Origin and Australian Test centre is major coup for the club and for our future,” Flanagan said.

“We have a number of exciting young backs coming through our grades and Josh’s experience will be invaluable in helping with their continued development. Josh has just turned 27 and I am confident his best football is still ahead of him.

Flanagan went on to confirm that Dugan is excited while welcoming the challenge of playing where best suits the Sharks team.

“He is looking forward to being part of the development of players such as Val Holmes and as to where he might play for next year, quite simply he is the current Test right centre and who can also play fullback which is a bonus for our club,” Flanagan added.

Similarly, Sharks Captain Paul Gallen was quick to welcome Dugan to the Club and had no doubt he would be an asset in the years to come.

“We are wrapped to have him,” Gallen said. “I’ve been lucky enough to play rep footy with Josh over the years and he is a good guy and an outstanding team player.

“He is going to be an enormous boost to our team and Josh will be a great benefit to the club.”

Dugan began his career at the Canberra Raiders in 2009, spending the best part of five seasons in the National Capital, before switching to St George Illawarra midway through 2013.

He has played 144 NRL games, scoring 53 tries.