Just a week into his tenure as Sharks NRL head coach, Shane Flanagan, has lured boom youngster Wade Graham to the club after signing a two-year-deal.

Graham agreed to terms with the Sharks for 2011 and 2012 and will finish at his current club the Penrith Panthers at the conclusion of the 2010 season.

The crafty five-eighth, who has previously been compared to Brad Fittler, made his first grade debut in round 15 of the 2008 competition at just 17 years of age.

His signing comes as the Sharks look to add further depth to their halves in search of their first NRL premiership.

“Wade is a superb athlete who I’m very excited about,” Flanagan said

“He is only 19 years old, has played first grade and all his best footy is in front of him…he has a lot of potential.

“I know a lot of the boys are very excited about his signing and it’s great to see a player of Wade’s calibre come to the Sharks.”

Despite his age, Graham has chalked up almost 40 NRL games and played a strong role in the Panthers rise on the ladder this season.

“Wade is an exceptional player who was not just a target because of his playing ability,” Sharks General Manager of Football, Darren Mooney, said

“His qualities off the field are also very important to the culture we want to create here at Cronulla.”

“The Sharks look forward to having him on board for the next two seasons and it’s a great first signing for Shane as head coach”