BY CURTIS WOODWARD

@woodward_curtis

Former Penrith Panthers captain Matt Moylan has made his first appearance in Cronulla’s blue, white and black appearing via a video on the Sharks website.

Moylan will play for Cronulla in 2018 in a straight swap with Sharks premiership winner James Maloney.

“It’s a new chapter in my career and I’m looking forward to getting out here and playing some good footy,” Moylan told sharks.com.au.

“I’m excited about the new opportunity and wherever I end up playing I’ll be happy.

“Hopefully I can have a good off-season and hit the ground running next year.”

Coach Shane Flanagan said he couldn’t wait to work with the five-eigth/fullback.

“To have Matt on board is going to add a few things to our team, especially offensively,” Flanagan said.

“He can play in the halves, he can play fullback. He’s got great versatility, he’ll fit into our team and give us some depth in those positions and he’s not too fussed where he plays.

“I think it’s a great signing for the club and I’m looking forward to working with him.”

The Panthers released a statement earlier in the day wishing Moylan all the best at his new club.

Well thank God that is over. Penrith have officially released Matt Moylan to Cronulla. Maloney will go the other way next week some time.

— Brent Read (@brentread_7) November 9, 2017

Matt Moylan has stood himself down from the finals series while Darius Boyd is ruled out of the @brisbanebroncos team. @ChrisGarry7 #7News pic.twitter.com/HwQ9aNopoA

— 7NEWS Brisbane (@7NewsBrisbane) September 4, 2017

https://twitter.com/The81stMinute/status/928439142974865410

“I’m sure I speak for everyone here at Panthers in wishing Matt all the best for this next phase of his life,” Panthers General Manager Phil Gould AM said.

“We will follow his football career with great interest.”

It ends a messy divorce between Moylan and the Panthers with the former skipper continuously at loggerheads with coach Anthony Griffin with rumours circulating for months that the local junior wanted out of the club.

Moylan joins close friend Andrew Fifita and former Panthers teammates Wade Graham, Luke Lewis and James Segeyaro in the Shire.

@woodward_curtis