The Titans have lost another of the club's longest serving players with Super League powerhouse St Helens announcing that they have signed Luke Douglas on a three-year deal starting in 2017.
After playing 146 consecutive games for the Sharks following his NRL debut in 2006, Douglas played 117 games for Gold Coast, his five-year tenure at the club coming to a close with a long-awaited finals appearance against the Broncos in the first week of the finals series.
With that game Douglas joined Ashley Harrison as the 10th-most capped player in the club's history but has opted to accept a three-year deal in England rather than playing out the final year of his contract in 2017 on the Gold Coast.
The Titans' player of the year in 2015 and the NRL's Ken Stephen Medal winner for his outstanding work in the community, Douglas and his wife Adele recently welcomed Archibald into the world and he told the St Helens website that he is excited about what the next three years will hold.
"I'm really looking forward to this new challenge," Douglas said. "The club has a great profile and stature in the game and I hope to be able to contribute to developing that wonderful culture
"I am told Saints have the best fans in the game and I can't wait to engage with them.
"I'm really looking forward to this next chapter in my life."
The 30-year-old joins David Mead (147 games) and Nathan Friend (121) as long-serving Titans who are leaving the club along with Matt Srama, Josh Hoffman, Nene Macdonald, Lachlan Burr, Kierran Moseley, Matt Robinson, Leva Li and Cameron Cullen who are also departing.
St Helens coach Keiron Cunningham lauded the signing of Douglas as an important step in the development of the club's young forwards.
"Luke is dynamic, tough-running front-rower who will bring top level NRL experience to our pack next season," Cunningham said.
"His leadership will be important to our younger players too and we are delighted to secure his signature for the next three years."
