Season 2025 will be the 17th and final for Kieran Foran, with the Titans playmaker calling time on his stellar career.
The 34-year-old will play his 310th NRL game when the Titans take on the Brisbane Broncos on Sunday at Cbus Super Stadium.
In a career that has featured highlights including an NRL premiership, Four Nations and Pacific Championships titles with New Zealand and more than 300 regular season games, Foran has decided that the time is right to hang up the boots.
"This is a game I have loved ever since I was a young boy, so coming to the decision was a difficult one... but it’s now something that I’m really comfortable with," Foran said.
"Announcing my retirement now allows the club time to plan for 2026 and it also allows me to start preparing for my future after football.
"I’m still as competitive as ever and every time I pull on the Titans jersey over the next few months, I’m going to be giving everything I’ve got."
Foran paid special thanks to his junior clubs, Ellerslie Eagles in Auckland and Asquith Magpies in Sydney for his early development and love of the game.
"I’m most proud of the fact I’ve been able to live out my dream as a young boy and go on to play 17 seasons in the NRL," he said.
"The joy that has brought to my family, extended family, friends and fans of our game and the lessons that I’ve learnt along the way will help me immensely in the next phase of my life."
The leader's leader: Foran to join 300 club
His NRL debut came in 2009 with Manly, starting at five-eighth and scoring a try in the Sea Eagles' Round 15 game against Canberra.
He’d go on to play 196 games across two stints with the Manly club, with time at the Parramatta Eels (nine games), New Zealand Warriors (17 games), Canterbury Bankstown Bulldogs (40 games) and 47 games to date with the Gold Coast Titans.
"I want to thank all five of the clubs that I’ve played for over my career," Foran said.
"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.
"From my early teammates to the current group here at the Titans, I’ve formed lifelong friendships and bonds that I’m forever grateful for."
Titans CEO Steve Mitchell said Foran’s impact in the game has 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."
Foran nominated for 2025 Ken Stephen Medal
It was Titans coach Des Hasler who handed Foran his debut almost two decades ago, and he said it’s special to have been alongside the playmaker for a large part of his career.
"It’s been an absolute privilege to coach one of the NRL’s ultimate competitors," Hasler said.
"His career has been quite a journey which he has had to navigate highs and lows, but what he has achieved over the past 17 seasons truly epitomises his character and perseverance.
"Since he debuted, his fighting spirit has become legendary and, in his words, he has always been all-in.
"This won’t change for the remainder of his final season.
"His story and journey won’t be lost to the game when he hangs up the boots and his future in mentoring young men and women will ensure his legacy continues."
Foran’s final thank-yous are to those closest to him, the people that have made a difference to his life and enabled him to achieve so much on field.
"Family support has meant so much," he said.
"They’ve all made it possible to achieve and stay in the grind at various stages throughout my career and I’ll be forever grateful."
Titans fans and rugby league fans more broadly will have the chance to acknowledge Kieran during the Titans' final rounds at Cbus Super Stadium with a final sendoff planned for the club’s last home game against Wests Tigers on Saturday, September 6.
