Dally M Medal winner Nicho Hynes has signed a $6 million deal which will keep him at the Cronulla Sharks for life.
Hynes has resisted the temptation to test his value on the open market from November 1, penning a five-year extension which will keep him at the Sharks until 2029.
According to sources familiar with the agreement, Hynes’ annual salary will average about $1 million per season for the next six years. It also allows for 2024, in which Hynes was already under contract for.
It’s a huge win for the Sharks and coach Craig Fitzgibbon, who led Cronulla into the top four last year on the back of Hynes’ stunning first season in the Shire.
It netted him the NRL’s highest individual honour from James Tedesco and Ben Hunt and has the 26-year-old firmly in calculations to make his State of Origin debut for NSW this year.
“To Nicho’s credit, he wasn’t interested in testing the market,” Sharks chairman Steve Mace said.
Nicho Hynes has signed a deal to stay at the Sharks until 2029.Credit: Getty
“He is such a selfless and humble person. This is a wonderful outcome for Nicho, the club and our supporters.”
Mace and Hynes’ manager Andrew Purcell had for weeks been thrashing out the details of Hynes’ contract, which will make him the highest-paid player in the club’s history as the NRL salary cap rise takes full effect.
It will also mean he holds the longest NRL contract, bar Parramatta’s Dylan Brown, who has options he can trigger to stay at the Eels until 2031.
His importance to the Sharks was underscored when he produced a mesmerising display in his first game of the season against the Dragons. He missed the opening three rounds with a calf problem.
Hynes’ standing off the field has grown immeasurably since moving to the Sharks as he emerges as one of the NRL’s most marketable stars, a leader in both the Cronulla and Indigenous communities.
The Sharks’ major retention coup adds to an impressive list of recent re-signings, including outside backs Ronaldo Mulitalo, Jesse Ramien, Siosifa Talakai and Sione Katoa.
Fullback Will Kennedy and back-rower Teig Wilton are yet to sign deals beyond this year.
In addition to re-signing their best player, the Sharks have also locked in Fitzgibbon until the end of 2027 as they seek to become a regular top four side.
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