The most expensive signing in Warrington's history and one of the premier centres in international rugby league, Gleeson signed a new three-year contract extension at the end of last season, keeping him at the Wolves until the end of 2010. His record-breaking £270,000 transfer sent shockwaves through the game when he joined the Wolves from St Helens midway through the 2004 season whilst he was serving a four-month suspension for breaching rugby league betting rules. Under immense expectation he recorded the highest try tally of his career in his first season with the Wolves, winning a place in the Super League Dream Team of 2005, and he was the Wolves' top offloader in 2006 with 56, and joint top for clean breaks with 27 in 2007. Renowned for his outstanding footwork, Gleeson has a powerful physique to complement his sidestep and is a genuine "winger's centre", with his natural ability to create space for his outside man enhanced by the tendency of opposition three-quarters to double-tackle him. Gleeson played a huge part in Henry Fa'afili's prolific try-scoring record in his three seasons at the club. Born in Wigan, Gleeson spent most of his junior career in Brisbane, Australia, emigrating with his family at the age of 10. Turned professional with Huddersfield Giants after returning to the UK, making his debut in 1999 winning a call up to the England U21 tour of South Africa in 2001. Signed for St Helens in 2002 and was a key attacking spearhead of the Super League Grand Final (2002) and Challenge Cup (2004) medal-winning teams. Made his full Great Britain debut in Sydney in 2002, and won the first of his two Super League Dream Team places later that year.
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