Newcastle Knights veteran Dane Gagai has put pen to paper on an extension to remain at the club.

The duel Indigenous and Māori All Star signed a one-year deal for the 2026 season this week.

Gagai's future in Newcastle, and the 34-year-old's career, had remained uncertain coming into the final rounds of the current season.

He and the club's relationship had reportedly hit a bump after the 300 gamer was offered a deal at a substantial pay cut to continue on.

According to the Newcastle Herald, Gagai felt "disrespected" by a $100,000 decrease for his services in 2026 after the Knights opted not to continue with his deal signed in 2024.

The parties agreed to a "mutual option for the final year of the deal" when Gagai signed for two-years in May last year.

The former international and Queensland Origin star has played 211 games for the Knights across two stints.

He, according to the Newcastle Herald, had this year considered walking out on the club amid contract loggerheads.

"Everyone knows Dane brings experience and competitiveness to every contest, every day," Knights head of recruitment Peter O'Sullivan said via the club on Tuesday.

"He has worked really hard for his extension, his tenacity to never give up and willingness to play in any position, especially through extenuating circumstances, shows his true character.

"Dane possesses a wonderful ability to share the experience he has amassed over 309 NRL games, including 211 for the Knights, with the young emerging players, he demands excellence from them, whilst instilling them with confidence to succeed.

"This extension compliments and balances our squad perfectly for next season."

The fan favourite was understood to have received interest from rival clubs before signing on last year.

Ahead of his 300th NRL in May, Gagai said he "fell in love" with Newcastle and its local fans after arriving in 2012, before returning to the club in 2022 after four seasons with South Sydney.

Gagai has scored 48 tries for the Knights across nine seasons.