NRL: Nathan Friend returns to Titans

Nathan Friend of the Warriors. Photo / Sarah Ivey

Warriors hooker Nathan Friend has ended the speculation on his future by signing a one-year deal with the Gold Coast Titans from 2016.

Friend, 34, played 100 games for the Titans between 2007 and 2011 and he'll return across the Tasman after four seasons with the Warriors.

He recently turned down a one-year contract offer, with Kiwi international hooker Isaac Luke arriving from the Rabbitohs for next season.

With Luke expected to be close to an 80-minute hooker, Friend's playing time would have been restricted to brief cameos off the bench and the lure of returning to the Gold Coast in the twilight of his career was too good to turn down.

On Twitter Friend thanked everyone at the Warriors for the last four years of support and he wants to finish this year with a bang.

I'd also like to thank my current team @NZWarriors & all of our supporters for the past 4years of support👌🏼👏🏼 #ToMeke #LetsFinishWithABang

— Nathan Friend (@09friendy) July 30, 2015

I look forward to returning home to Queensland next year with my wife & 2 boys to take up a 1 year contract👊🏼 https://t.co/b9jMIBnAtv

— Nathan Friend (@09friendy) July 30, 2015

He said on the Titans website: "I'm really looking forward to returning to the Coast and making a contribution to the Titans, and hopefully playing a leading role in better times ahead.

"I have great memories from my five seasons with the Titans, including twice getting to the finals, and I'd love to be a part of getting there again.

"Hopefully my experience and determination can be of value and I can help the club move in the right direction."

The Titans are way down in 15th on the NRL ladder but their head coach Neil Henry believes Friend can lead them back into finals contention and he was part of their squad when they were first established in the NRL back in 2007.

Henry said: "It's great to have a foundation player return to the Coast, and Nathan's experience and leadership will be invaluable, especially for our young hookers Kierran Moseley and Karl Lawton.

"He is one of the most professional and dedicated players in the NRL and we feel still has a lot to offer the club.

"Nathan was an integral part of the establishment of the Titans from 2007 and is excited at an opportunity to return and have a positive influence as part of our leadership group and to finish his career on the Gold Coast."

Friend is still an integral part of the Warriors team for the rest of 2015 and he's been an ever present this season.

His back flip pass against Melbourne Storm a few weeks ago became a global internet sensation and an upside-down framed Friend jersey went for $3110 on Trade Me.

EPIC.#ThePass - a framed upside down number 9 jersey signed by @09friendy | BID NOW >> http://t.co/Kuz9Enx1IA #NRL pic.twitter.com/TadGOIjt7O

— One NZ Warriors (@NZWarriors) July 16, 2015