Kieran Foran will close the curtain on one of rugby league’s most-storied careers after confirming his plans to retire at the end of 2025.

One of rugby league’s great survivors, Foran is set to finish with close to 315 NRL games to his name when he plays his final match for Gold Coast in September.

Foran’s retirement comes as questions swirl around the future of coach Des Hasler at the club, with the Titans sitting last and looking unlikely to make finals.

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A premiership-winner at Manly in 2011, Foran also played 31 Tests for New Zealand and is the last player in the NRL to have debuted during the 2000s decade.

But beyond all that, Foran will finish as one of the toughest halves to play the game in the NRL era, after a career that experienced more highs and lows than most.

“I’ll be hanging the boots up at the end of the season and moving onto the next phase of my life,” Foran said.

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

“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.”

He said it was important that after a 17 year career and playing for five different clubs that he wanted to enjoy the final part of his career.

“I feel that it’s important to make it official so I can really enjoy the final part of the season,” he said.

“In a way I came into the season feeling like it could potentially be my last but in saying that, it’s been my last year for the past five years.

“I’ve sort of gone into the past five years believing it could be the end and there’s been that little part in me that chased more success.

“I wanted to drain every ounce possible out of myself physically and mentally.”

The Kiwi, who turns 35 on Sunday, debuted under Hasler at Manly in 2009 as a hard-running five-eighth, regularly putting his body through the ringer when taking the line on or putting on hits in defence.

He won a premiership as a 21-year-old, partnering with Daly Cherry-Evans as one of the youngest combinations in the game’s history to take a team to the title.

But when the five-eighth was lured to Parramatta in 2016 on a mega four-year deal, the playmaker’s path changed significantly.

He experienced highly publicised personal issues and has since revealed the mental demons he fought through that period.

Foran ended up leaving the Eels for the Warriors after one season, but admitted then it was the toll he put on his body that began to catch up with him.

He played just 57 games across four seasons at the Warriors and then Canterbury, at one stage prompting fears of a medical retirement due to a shoulder injury.

Foran persisted though, earned a lifeline under Hasler at Manly in 2021 before helping take them back to preliminary final in his first season back at Brookvale.

The No.6 was eventually squeezed out at the end of 2022, but had done enough to extend his career on the Gold Coast.

It was there Hasler ultimately joined him in 2024, after making a shock return to coaching at the Titans.

Foran reached the 300-game milestone last year, perhaps the most unlikely member of the 55-man group given the fact his career looked over six years ago.

Titans CEO Steve Mitchell said Foran’s impact on the game had been significant.

“When people remember Kieran Foran, they’ll remember a true competitor,” Mitchell said.

“He’s one of the toughest players I’ve seen, both physically and mentally.

“He has brought so much to our club since joining us and the impact he has had extends beyond what he’s given us on field.

“He’s been nominated for the Ken Stephen Medal for his work in the community and the leadership he’s shown with our younger players has been phenomenal.

“I’m thrilled to say Kieran will be staying a Titan even in his retirement, as he will take up a role with the club into 2026.”

- With www.20304050.best