Outgoing Cronulla champion Luke Lewis has welcomed 2016 premiership teammate Chris Heighington into the NRL retirement club.

Just two weeks after Lewis announced he was calling it quits at the end of the season, the veteran forward did the same on Tuesday.

The pair formed a great bond as Heighington spent five years with the Sharks before crossing to Newcastle this season.

They will always be remembered as playing key roles in Cronulla’s maiden NRL premiership.

“I’m very happy for him (Heighington). He’s an absolute gentleman,” Lewis told Fox Sport’s NRL 360.

“I couldn’t say enough good stuff about him (for other people) to understand how good this bloke is.

“He’s just a real team player, a clubman and does everything for the team first.

“I’m just so honoured and happy I got the opportunity to play with him because he was one of those blokes I hated playing against but I loved playing with.

“It’s had an outstanding career and now we can sit back and have a beer and watch the footy together on the hill.”

Heighington is the NRL’s third most capped forward after starting his career in 2003, getting his start by turning up at a Wests Tigers open day trial.

He won a 2005 title with the Tigers (2003-2012) before another successful stint with the Sharks.

The 36-year-old currently sits on 334 games – eighth on the all-time NRL matches-played list.

He can leapfrog Brad Fittler (336) and move to seventh overall by season’s end.

“A lot of ex-players told me I would know when it’s time but I haven’t felt that feeling yet but I do know the pre-seasons are long and another year is a big ask,” Heighington said.

“I want to go out on my terms. I’m still playing injury-free and I don’t want to be greedy.”