The Sharks have secured the services of Nicho Hynes, with the Storm star signing a long-term deal with the Cronulla Club.
The new contract, which will see Hynes join the Sharks for the start of their 2022 campaign, is for three years, running through until the end of the 2024 season.
The 24-year-old Hynes, who has shown his outstanding ability, as well as his versatility in recent weeks, was a member of the Storm 17 in the 2020 Grand Final and has played 22 NRL matches.
This year Hynes has scored three tries in 10 matches played, while providing 16 try assists, the most in the NRL and 16 line break assists. He has also kicked 12 goals in those 10 games.
Last weekend in Melbourne's win over the Broncos, Hynes contributed a try, six goals from seven attempts, 180 run metres, nine tackle breaks, three line breaks and two try assists in a man of the match performance.
A much sought-after player on the NRL open market, Hynes has chosen the Sharks ahead of several clubs who were chasing his services.
Hynes grew up on the Central Coast, played his junior rugby league for the Umina Beach Bunnies and Woy Woy Roosters, before signing with the Manly Holden Cup team in 2015.
He would play the 2017-18 seasons of with the Mackay Cutters in the Queensland Intrust Super Cup, then joined the Melbourne Storm in 2019.
Hynes, who has been recruited to take up a position in the Sharks halves, compliments the recent signings of Toby Rudolf and Will Kennedy as incoming coach Craig Fitzgibbon continues to build his playing roster for the 2021 season and beyond.
