New Zealand Warriors star Shaun Johnson to retire from NRL at the end of the 2024 season

Shaun Johnson’s glittering rugby league career is set to come to an end, with the New Zealand Warriors legend announcing his retirement.

Shaun Johnson has announced his retirement from the NRL. (Photo by Hannah Peters/Getty Images)

Shaun Johnson’s glittering 14-year rugby league career is set to come to an end.

The star New Zealand Warriors halfback, on Monday evening, announced he will retire from the NRL at the end of the 2024 season.

With the 13th-placed Warriors almost certainly out of finals contention – and having a last-round bye – Johnson’s final match, barring injury, will be against his former club Cronulla in round 26 at PointsBet Stadium.

Johnson, who turns 34 next month, told his teammates his decision on Monday.

“This is a decision that I’ve sat with for a while now and one I’m probably still coming to terms with,” Johnson said.

Shaun Johnson is set to hand up the boots at season’s end. Picture: Hannah Peters/Getty Images

“It’s obviously still very raw but I’m so grateful to the club and to you boys who I get to come into work with every day with a smile on face. I have never taken any of it for granted.“The job (this season) is not over so, let’s rip in and get back to doing what we do but I just wanted to let you all know first that at the end of the season, that will be me (done).”

Johnson leaves the game as one of the best Kiwis to have laced up a boot. He started his career with a freakish step that made him a household name in New Zealand and he carried the Warriors club for a number of seasons.

Johnson was part of the Warriors’ 2011 grand final loss in his first season as he became the heir apparent to Stacey Jones for the club.

In 2014 he was given the golden boot award as the best player in the world. Johnson’s first stint at the Warriors ended at the end of 2018 before he signed a three-year contract with the Sharks.

Johnson has played 14 seasons in the NRL. Picture: Hannah Peters/Getty Images

He returned to New Zealand in 2022 and produced one of the best seasons of his career last year as he guided the Warriors to within 80 minutes of the grand final. He came agonisingly close to claiming the Dally M Medal, losing out to Newcastle’s Kalyn Ponga in the last round.

Johnson rejected interest from former Kiwis teammate Benji Marshall at the Wests Tigers to re-sign with the Warriors for 2024.

Earlier this season, the Sydney Roosters expressed an interest in signing Johnson from next year, but he turned them down and was expected to continue his career by at least another season.

However, injuries and a rough patch of form has led to a change of heart.

Johnson has played 265 top-grade games and 32 Tests for the Kiwis.

The Warriors’ final home game will be a sellout fixture against Canterbury in round 25.

The Warriors have already begun planning for life without Johnson.

Luke Metcalf and Chanel Harris-Tavita are both signed on until the end of 2026, while Te Maire Martin is locked in until the end of next season.

In April, the Warriors signed Jett Cleary, the son of Penrith coach Ivan and younger brother of Nathan, to a three-year deal from next season.

Cleary, 19, was born in Auckland when his father coached the Warriors.

“It’s an exciting time for us to be able to bring a player of Jett’s quality into our pathways system from next season,” Warriors CEO Cameron George said when Cleary signed.

“The Cleary family has the strongest links with our club through Ivan’s time with us and it’s a special thrill to sign Jett and have the Cleary name back with us.

Current Warriors coach Andrew Webster was an assistant under Ivan Cleary at the Panthers and is well aware of his youngest son’s pedigree.

The Warriors will also welcome Penrith’s James Fisher-Harris to the club on a four-year deal from next season to replace their Cronulla-bound prop, Addin Fonua-Blake.

Originally published as New Zealand Warriors star Shaun Johnson to retire from NRL at the end of the 2024 season