Roosters confirm Cronk capture

Sydney Roosters have confirmed the signing of Melbourne Storm half-back Cooper Cronk on a two-year deal.

The contract will see the 33-year-old stay at the club until the end of the 2019 campaign.

Cronk, who is a two-time Dally M Medal winner, has made 323 first-grade appearances for Melbourne Storm since bursting onto the NRL scene back in 2004.

The Australia star previously admitted that he would have liked to have stayed at Storm but he wanted to be closer to his girlfriend, Tara Rushton, in Sydney.

But Cronk is delighted to have signed with the Roosters for next season and beyond.

He said: “The Sydney Roosters are a proud club with an esteemed history, and this is an exciting new opportunity for me.

“It marks the start of a new chapter for me both professionally and personally and I look forward to joining my new teammates and coaches, and immersing myself in the club’s culture in lead-up to the 2018 season.”

And Roosters CEO Joe Kelly thinks Cronk will add a lot to an already strong Roosters team for next year.

He said: “We are delighted to have secured the services of Cooper for the next two seasons.

“Cooper has played the game at the highest level for a number of years and we are keenly aware of what he brings to the club. Together with the established leaders within our squad, we see him as a wonderful addition to our roster.”

Cronk will link up with his new teammates when he has finished international duties with the Kangaroos at the 2017 Rugby League World Cup.