St Helens great Graham to retire after 2020 Super League season

St Helens prop James Graham has confirmed he will finish his illustrious career at the end of the Super League season.

Graham announced last month that his international playing days were over, having featured 53 times for England and Great Britain.

The 35-year-old has now decided that his club career will come to a halt, and he will be looking to sign off by winning the Super League title.

Graham, who signed a one-year deal with Saints in June, has made 234 appearances for his boyhood club Saints either side of a successful eight-year spell in the NRL and has scored 70 tries in 474 matches in total at club and international level.

He told Saints' official website: "Playing for St Helens and over in the NRL has been an absolute honour. I am gutted this season will be my final one as a player, but I came to Saints saying I would have one last all in push for this season and nothing has changed there.

474 appearances 70 tries 1 x @SuperLeague Ring 3 x @TheChallengeCup Man of Steel Dally M Prop of the Year What a career this man has had, but he has a job to finish with the Saints - starting this Friday in the ?????! pic.twitter.com/pDP5ytbtv5

— St.Helens R.F.C. (@Saints1890) October 28, 2020

"Finishing my career at my boyhood club was an opportunity that I couldn't resist. Unfortunately, I am gutted we have not been able to play in front of our fans as I know they feel every pass, every tackle and every run.

"I have even missed the opposition fans who would give me a piece of their mind.

"I have had so many fantastic memories throughout my career here at Saints, in the NRL and on the International stage representing my country. It has all been a huge honour."

Graham won a Grand Final ring, claimed three Challenge Cup winners' medals and was named Man of Steel during his first stint with Saints and also landed the Dally M Prop of the Year award while playing for Canterbury Bulldogs.

He was the only Brit in the World team XIII and was named best prop in the world in 2008 and could sign off with another Grand Final triumph, with Saints top of the table.