Barrett to join Sharks

Cronulla win race for stand-off's signature

Last updated: 5th June 2008

Trent Barrett Wigan Warriors second kit

Barrett: heading home

Related links

Teams

Players

Also see

Wigan stand-off and acting captain Trent Barrett has signed for Cronulla Sharks.

The 30-year-old former Australia international has secured a release from the last 12 months of his three-year deal with the Warriors and will return home at the end of the season to join the Sharks.

His two-year contract is reported to be worth around £290,000.

Barrett, who is leading Wigan in the absence of the injured Sean O'Loughlin, is cutting short his stay in England because his pregnant wife is homesick.

"I'm extremely excited about having Trent join the club," said Sharks coach Ricky Stuart .

"I've got no doubt he will be very good for the Sharks both on and off the field."

After 11 seasons at St George Illawarra, Barrett was granted a release by the Dragons to join Wigan in 2007, where he was the leading tryscorer in his first year and has so far made 47 appearances.

Cronulla faced competition from at least four NRL rivals for his signature, including Barrett's old club St George, and are offloading former Test scrum-half Brett Kimmorley to make way for him.