NRL veteran set to see out his career with English side.
Gold Coast veteran Mark Minichiello will leave the club at season’s end to join English Super League club Hull FC.
The 32-year-old has signed a two-year deal with the Black and Whites to end his 13-season NRL career.
Minichiello, the younger brother of Sydney Roosters captain Anthony, and Luke Bailey are the only foundation players still at the Titans.
He joined Gold Coast in 2007 following stints with the Roosters and South Sydney.
Minichiello has played 160 games for the Titans, taking his career tally past 250 NRL games earlier this year.
Ahead of his move England, Hull FC coach Lee Radford said the Australian was the perfect replacement for backrower Chris Tuson who announced his retirement earlier this year.
“Mark brings vast experience to the club, not just in terms of his ability and game sense on the field, but a wealth of knowledge and the right way to conduct yourself off it,” Radford said.
“It’s been a long time coming, we’ve been talking to Mark and his management about coming to Hull for some time and it is difficult at the moment to bring in players of his calibre from the NRL, you only have to look at who we were in competition with to see why.
“But he has made all the right noises about the club, the opportunity to play Super League and seems extremely committed to making the move which has been pleasing.
“It’s a new chapter for him and I know he is full of enthusiasm and can’t wait to get started. He will be a big influence on some of our younger blokes and a real hit with the fans, I’m sure.”
Minichiello said he cannot wait to join his new teammates and begin the next chapter of his storied career.
“It was a big decision, I have been in the NRL for thirteen seasons now and have played over 250 games here but I think it was maybe just the right time for me to make the change and I guess accept a new challenge,” he said.
“I have always had dreams of playing in the Super League, and when this deal and opportunity came about, I just thought it was the right time to jump in and experience something new.”
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