Wests Tigers have fought off a big-money offer from the Gold Coast to re-sign star hooker Robbie Farah for the next five NRL seasons.

Farah was due to come off contract at the end of the upcoming season but on Tuesday signed a four-year extension that will keep him at the Tigers until the end of 2013.

The 24-year-old, one of the game's most exciting talents, had been agonising over the decision for more than a month after meeting Titans officials and touring Skilled Stadium in December.

"It was a tough decision, the last six weeks has been really tough,'' said Farah, a Leichhardt Wanderers junior.

"Gold Coast have been great, I have to say that, they didn't put too much pressure on me ... but for me in the end my heart made my decision and it was just too hard to leave the club I've played for since I was a kid.''

Tigers coach Tim Sheens also announced Farah would take over the club captaincy from veteran fullback Brett Hodgson, who has left club for Super League outfit Huddersfield.

"It's a big honour for me to run out there leading the boys and I can't wait until the first round to be able to do that,'' Farah said.

Farah has become one of the Tigers' most important players since making his debut in 2003.

He was a key member of the Tigers premiership-winning outfit of 2005 and narrowly missed out on winning the Dally M medal in 2007, finishing just a point behind Johnathan Thurston.

Tigers chief executive Scott Longmuir said Tuesday's announcement ushered in a new era for the club.

"I think we will look back at this day as one of the most important in our short history,'' Longmuir said.

"I think today's announcement will be a catalyst for a new and successful era.''

AAP