Kurt Gidley: Newcastle Knights star heading for Warrington

Warrington have signed former Australia international Kurt Gidley from the Newcastle Knights, the NRL club have announced.

The 32-year-old Knights captain, who won 12 caps for the Kangaroos from 2007-13, will join the Wolves on a 12-month deal at the end of the year, with an option of a second season with the Super League club.

"Kurt Gidley has made the decision to depart the club at season's end, signing a one-year contract (with the option of a second year) with the Warrington Wolves in England's Super League," the Knights said in a statement.

Gidley, whose older brother Matt played for St Helens from 2007-10, has played a total of 236 NRL games so far since making his debut for the Knights in 2001.

"I have been lucky, to grow up in Newcastle, to have my family's support and to play for this great club," Gidley told the club's website.

One of Newcastle's greats, Andrew Johns, played at Warrington and he's given it a massive rap - their fans, the facilities and how stable the club is. Kurt Gidley

"I have felt sad about leaving, I have felt excited about a new challenge but I am mostly relieved that I have reached the stage of making this decision.

"I have been thinking about this for over 12 months and I knew it had to come to an end at some stage.

"I have had a great career, it has been a pretty long career, and I am looking forward to the change of going over to England, so too is my family."

Gidley, who has made 12 State of Origin appearances for New South Wales, will offer plenty of versatility for Warrington after playing extensively at full-back, centre, half-back and hooker.

Advised

The Australian said he spoke to former Warrington centre Matt King before making his decision and also consulted Newcastle all-time greats Andrew Johns, who had a brief spell with the Wolves in 2005, and former Leeds hooker Danny Buderus.

"My brother went to St Helens for four years and had a great time playing in the Super League and Danny Buderus has been to Leeds and played for three years," Gidley said.

"They came back with glowing reports of playing in the Super League and of experiencing a different culture, that was certainly a big factor for me.

"I'm excited to be going to a strong club and to challenge myself and experience different fans and team-mates.

"One of Newcastle's greats, Andrew Johns, played at Warrington and he's given it a massive rap - their fans, the facilities and how stable the club is.

"Matty King is another good guy who I have spoken to about Warrington. They both had great reports on the club so I'm excited to challenge myself, play well, train hard and hopefully see if I can leave a legacy there."

Warrington head coach Tony Smith said: "Kurt's been an extremely committed player to one club over his career and we like the fact that he has been loyal.

"He will bring some of the big-game experience that he has been involved in for a number of years and we are delighted to be bringing some more experience in, particularly into our backline to help guide us around.

"Kurt's a very good decision-maker and we need some of that in amongst our already talented backline."