Posted April 13, 2017 14:13:51

Photo: Jack Bird will soon be wearing the maroon of Brisbane. (AAP: Paul Miller)

The Cronulla Sharks have confirmed rising star Jack Bird has agreed to join the Brisbane Broncos from the 2018 NRL season.

Cronulla says it offered the versatile 22-year-old "its highest ever financial offer to secure a current player", but could not match the "multi-million-dollar deal" the Broncos offered.

Bird made his Origin debut for New South Wales last year, and was part of the Sharks' side that broke its premiership drought in 2016.

"On behalf of the coaching staff and players I am terribly disappointed that Jack has decided to move on considering he made his NRL debut at our club, was the NRL Rookie of the Year, made his debut for Origin and won a premiership all within the space of just over two years," coach Shane Flanagan said in a statement.

"Since debuting for us in 2015, our club has played a major role in developing Jack into a State of Origin level player which is a testament to the talent identification and player development systems we have in place.

"While we wish Jack well in his future endeavours, he is a professional and we have no doubt he will continue to give his full focus to his club and his team-mates on and off the field and play a major role throughout 2017."

The Broncos were in the market for new talent having received news star half-back Ben Hunt would be leaving the club at the end of the season.

The acquisition could free Darius Boyd up to make a move to five-eighth, with Bird playing either at full-back or in the halves depending on needs.

Topics: nrl, rugby-league, sport, brisbane-4000, qld, cronulla-2230, nsw