The clean-out at the Titans has continued with foundation player Mark Minichiello announcing that he has joined Hull FC in the English Super League on a two-year deal starting in 2015.
Minichiello and elder brother Anthony wrote their name into the record books in Round 17 when Mark played his 250th game against former club South Sydney, making the Minichiello brothers just the third set of brothers to each play more than 250 games in the NRL.
Having made his debut alongside Anthony for the Roosters in 2002, Minichiello spent four seasons at the Rabbitohs before joining the Titans for their inaugural season in 2007, racking up 169 games for the club over the past eight seasons, the most by any Gold Coast player.
Minichiello had expressed his desire to continue his career in the NRL at the Titans but told Hull FC Live that he is excited about the new challenge that lies abroad.
"It was a big decision, I have been in the NRL for 13 seasons now and have played over 250 games here but I think it was maybe just the right time for me to make the change and I guess accept a new challenge," Minichiello said.
"I have always had dreams of playing in the Super League, and when this deal and opportunity came about, I just thought it was the right time to jump in and experience something new.
"Hull is a club with a long history, is one of the bigger clubs over there and from what I hear the fans are very passionate about rugby league, they have a good culture for rugby.
"So when offered the chance to come over and play that was really the only offer I needed to make my decision."
Hull FC head coach Lee Radford said securing the signature of Minichiello was one the club had been working towards for some time.
"It's been a long time coming. We've been talking to Mark and his management about coming to Hull for some time and it is difficult at the moment to bring in players of his calibre from the NRL, you only have to look at who we were in competition with to see why," Radford said.
"But he has made all the right noises about the club, the opportunity to play Super League and seems extremely committed to making the move which has been pleasing.
"It's a new chapter for him and I know he is full of enthusiasm and can't wait to get started. He will be a big influence on some of our younger blokes and a real hit with the fans, I'm sure."
