Cronulla prop Royce Hunt has signed a new contract that will keep him with the Sharks until at least the end of 2023.

Cronulla prop Royce Hunt has signed a contract extension that will keep him at the club until at least the end of next season.

The 25-year-old is in career-best form, becoming a mainstay of the Sharks' forward rotation this year after injury and COVID lockdowns stymied his first two seasons at the club.

Hunt scored a try against Wests Tigers on his return from a short-term shoulder injury last week and looks set for more opportunities now that Toby Rudolf has gone down with a MCL injury.

The former Canberra Raider has played 31 of 32 his first-grade games in black, blue and white and is a strong chance of feature in the finals for the first time come September.

"I love what the club is building and what we are building as a team, so I'm happy to stay around and to be a part of that for next year," Hunt said.

As he has only signed until the end of next year, Hunt is free to negotiate with rivals for 2024 from November 1.