Cronulla captain Paul Gallen believes former Sharks teammate Greg Bird is keen to return to the NRL club.

Gold Coast and NSW forward Bird was sacked by the Sharks in 2008 following an off-field incident.

He was charged over an alleged assault but cleared on appeal.

The 27-year-old then signed an unusual four-year deal with the Titans with an option in the club's favour after each season.

"I would love to see him come back and play here for Cronulla to be honest," Gallen told nrl.com.

"I personally think he wants to come back and I'd love to see him back here.

"I don't know how many times I'm down at Cronulla or somewhere - and especially after Origin when we played together - how many people say 'get him back, we want him back'.

"I think the whole (Sutherland) Shire would accept him back for sure and I'd like to think the club would too.

"We could certainly do with a player like him and I think he'd like to come back."

Gold Coast chief executive Michael Searle did not return AAP's call on Monday but a club official said Bird would be staying with the Titans in 2012.

His four-year agreement ends at the end of the 2013 season.

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