The 23-year-old signed for his junior club Rhinos on Monday, but will not return to his home town until May because he will be playing for Carcassonne in France.

Gibson spent five seasons with the Sharks and after making his NRL first grade debut in 2002 played 30 top grade games at the club.

"I didn't get an NRL contract for next year, so I decided to come home," Gibson said.

"I'm going to France in a couple of weeks to play over there, so I won't be able to play for Manildra until May."

Gibson left Manildra in 1998 and played juniors for the Illawarra Steelers for two years, before linking with the Sharks in 2000.

He secured the No 9 jersey at Cronulla after the departure of Dean Treister in 2003, but only played 11 first grade matches this year.

Gibson will return to Manildra to work on the family farm and is looking forward to playing with the Rhinos under new captain-coach Steve Morgan.

"All my brothers and cousins play out there, so it should be good.

"I'll look to play hooker or five-eighth, but because I'll be joining the team late I'll play anywhere Steve puts me."

Despite leaving Manildra when only a teenager, Gibson said his first game for the Rhinos next year won't be his first grade debut.

"I played a little bit of first grade when I was 15 before I went to Illawarra," he said.