Kieran Foran announces retirement: 2025 to be last season for premiership winner

Kieran Foran has played over 300 NRL premiership games with five different clubs. Now set to retire he pays tribute to those who helped him throughout his rugby league career.

Rugby league warhorse Kieran Foran has announced his retirement following a stellar 17-season NRL career.

Foran will hang up the boots at the end of the 2025 season with the Gold Coast Titans, bringing an end to a rollercoaster ride that started in 2009 with Manly.

The five-eighth will celebrate his 35th birthday on Sunday when he makes his 310th NRL appearance for the Titans against the Broncos at Cbus Super Stadium.

He will remain with the Titans in a non-playing role next year and said the time had arrived for him to walk away.

Kieran Foran's NRL career has spanned more than 300 games with five different clubs.

“This is a game I have loved ever since I was a young boy, so coming to the decision was a difficult one... but it’s now something that I’m really comfortable with,” Foran said.

“Announcing my retirement now allows the club time to plan for 2026 and it also allows me to start preparing for my future after football.

“I’m still as competitive as ever and every time I pull on the Titans jersey over the next few months, I’m going to be giving everything I’ve got.

“I’m most proud of the fact I’ve been able to live out my dream as a young boy and go on to play 17 seasons in the NRL.

“The joy that has brought to my family, extended family, friends and fans of our game and the lessons that I’ve learnt along the way will help me immensely in the next phase of my life.”

Born in Auckland, Foran made his NRL debut for the Sea Eagles in 2009 and was a New Zealand Test player by the end of his first season.

He played in Manly’s 2011 NRL premiership triumph under Des Hasler, his current coach at the Titans, next to great mate Daly Cherry-Evans in the halves and made 196 appearances for the Sea Eagles across two different stints.

Foran also played for the Warriors (17 games), Eels (nine) and Bulldogs (40) in the middle of his career before finishing with three seasons on the Gold Coast (47 games currently).

“I want to thank all five of the clubs that I’ve played for over my career,” Foran said.

“I want to pay tribute to the teammates I’ve had at those clubs and the supporters and fans of each and every one of those clubs that have supported me across my time wearing their club colours.

“From my early teammates to the current group here at the Titans, I’ve formed lifelong friendships and bonds that I’m forever grateful for.

“Family support has meant so much. They’ve all made it possible to achieve and stay in the grind at various stages throughout my career and I’ll be forever grateful.”

Hasler handed Foran his NRL debut at Manly in 2009 and will now farewell him from first grade at the Titans.

“It’s been an absolute privilege to coach one of the NRL’s ultimate competitors,” Hasler said.

“His career has been quite a journey in which he has had to navigate highs and lows, but what he has achieved over the past 17 seasons truly epitomises his character and perseverance.

“Since he debuted, his fighting spirit has become legendary and, in his words, he has always been all-in. This won’t change for the remainder of his final season.

“His story and journey won’t be lost to the game when he hangs up the boots and his future in mentoring young men and women will ensure his legacy continues.”

The Titans will formally farewell Foran at their final home game against Wests Tigers on September 6.

Originally published as Kieran Foran announces retirement: 2025 to be last season for premiership winner