Bulldogs centre Josh Morris signs with Cronulla for 2019 season on two-year deal

BULLDOGS centre and former Origin star Josh Morris will farewell the club this season after inking a two-year contract with the Cronulla Sharks.

PERTH, AUSTRALIA — MARCH 10: Josh Morris of the Bulldogs fends off a tackle during the round one NRL match between the Canterbury Bulldogs and the Melbourne Storm at Optus Stadium on March 10, 2018 in Perth, Australia. (Photo by Paul Kane/Getty Images)

BULLDOGS centre Josh Morris will farewell the club this season after inking a two-year contract with the Cronulla Sharks.

Morris, who joined the club in 2009 and has played 209-games for Canterbury, will join the Sharks for the 2019 season.

The former Test and NSW Origin representative centre will prove a crucial signing for Cronulla, who are eager to replenish their backline stocks ahead of the departure of Jesse Ramien, Ricky Leutele and Edrick Lee next year.

Morris has been with the Bulldogs since 2009. AAP Image/Dan Himbrechts.

Cronulla believe Morris, 31, will prove invaluable in the club’s promotion and development of several promising outside backs, including junior representatives Bronson Xerri and Isaac Lumelume.

“Off contract at the end of the season, Morris was offered a competitive one-year deal to remain at the Bulldogs however, the lure of two more years in the NRL with the Sharks sealed the deal.”

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Morris retired from representative football following his role with NSW in the 2016 Origin series and will join former teammate Aaron Woods, who linked with Cronulla just last week.

Despite suffering a knee injury earlier this season, Morris has scored six tries in 12 games this year for the Bulldogs.

He informed Canterbury officials this afternoon that he would be leaving the club to join Cronulla — where he also lives.

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Originally published as Bulldogs centre Josh Morris signs with Cronulla for 2019 season on two-year deal