Kurt Gidley signs with Super League club Warrington

Newcastle captain Kurt Gidley has signed a one-year deal with the Warrington Wolves, which will see him leave the Knights at the end of the 2015 NRL season.

The former NSW Origin captain and Kangaroos player has an option of a second season at Warrington, and will depart his local club Newcastle after 236 games in the top grade over 15 years.

He played 12 times each for NSW and Australia, skippering the Blues during their eight-year loss streak.

Gidley hasn’t enjoyed a hugely successful 2015 season so far, and said he was looking forward to stepping up his game for the remainder of the season.

A local junior, Gidley admitted it was sad to leave the Knights.

“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,” Gidley said.

“It was a tough one. Newcastle people have been great; they are very supportive, both in good times and in bad.

“I appreciate the support I have had, and the way the town supports the team.”

Gidley said he didn’t consider moving to another NRL club.

“I have been thinking about this for over 12 months and I knew it had to come to an end at some stage,” Gidley added.

“I spoke to (CEO and brother) Matt (Gidley) before the season kicked off and I let him know that it was looking like it was going to be my last year.

“There were plenty of young players coming off contracts, who have come through our juniors like Sione (Mata’utia), Chanel (Mata’utia), Pat (Mata’utia), as well as Dane (Gagai) who has been a great buy for the Club.

“I really wanted to see those types of players re-sign and I would have been disappointed to see them go to another club.

“Then there is still Jake (Mamo) who hopefully can be re-signed as well. So that was a factor, I didn’t want to keep out some young talented players, who I love watch playing myself.

“Another factor was 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 says he hopes his best moment for the Knights is still to come.

“I am still fit and healthy, I love everything about rugby league and team sport and playing overseas is going to be to a new challenge,” he said.

“Everything I have done in my career so far, I am so proud and privileged to do what I have done but I will need to earn the respect of teammates and opponents over that way when the time comes.

“So while I have been very lucky and I am very thankful for the whole experience, I must say it isn’t over here yet. I wanted to get this news out there and move on from it.

“From now, every training session and every game is a step closer towards my last one in the Newcastle Knights jersey and I want to make the most of it all.

“I have been lucky, to grow up in Newcastle, to have my family’s support and to play for this great Club.”

“I played at West Newcastle from seven years of age and then made the transition at 17 to play for the Knights, which was directly across from where I trained.

“I struggled to make the Knights juniors but I think that made me just work harder.

“So to play in my hometown as long as I have, to play alongside my eldest brother, have my family support at home and away games, as well as captain the club has just been a huge honour.”