Salford Red Devils forward Luke Yates is the latest player to commit to the club until at least the end of the 2022 season.
The 25-year-old joined from London Broncos last year, along with Rhys Williams and Elliot Kear as Salford snapped up a trio of talent from the now Championship outfit.
The Australian’s decision to extend his stay with Salford comes after Lee Mossop, the club captain, also pledged his future to the Red Devils recently.
Speaking on the contract extension, Yates said: “I really believe in Watto (Ian Watson) and the club’s vision and I’m grateful for the opportunity to be a part of their success going forward.
“Once I got here, we started talking pretty early about extending my stay and the consistency this brings should help me perform at my best.
“It’s great to have Moose staying throughout that time too. He’s massive in the middle and has been dominant in the front-row for a long time.
“Now we can progress our relationship in the pack together, as I establish myself as a leader.”
And the forward added further words of praise for his head coach and highlighted Ian Watson’s contract extension as one of the deciding factors in him following suit.
“Watto extending his stay was crucial to my decision.
“He’s a great technical coach and that’s the style that seems to get the best out of me.
“We’re focused on establishing the team in the conversation of clubs competing to win things and I want to win silverware in my time here.”
The Red Devils head coach sees great leadership potential in Yates and is pleased to have more time with the Australian.
Watson said: “Luke is an important signing for us.
“I’m sure everyone has already seen the work ethic and passion that Luke’s displayed this season and he’ll only get better over the next couple of seasons.
“I’m really happy that we’ve secured his services and I have the opportunity to work with Luke going forward, as his energy is infectious and over the next few years I’m sure he’ll grow into a strong leader within our team.”
In his first season at Salford Yates has had his fair share of defensive duties, ranked in the top ten for tackles made in Super League in 2020.
Yates was one of a dozen players to move to the AJ Bell before the 2020 season, as Salford look to reconstruct another side capable of reaching a Grand Final again.
Director of Rugby and operations, Ian Blease, said: “Luke has quickly become a significant piece in our club’s rebuild this year and I’m delighted to have him onboard for the next two years.
“I’m really pleased Luke has chosen to stay with the Red Devils, as he’s been a credit to the club since he arrived at the start of the season.
“Luke’s work ethic on and off the pitch is outstanding and he will now continue to thrive and improve as a player under Coach Watson’s guidance.”
Yates will be hoping that when rugby returns, he can return to putting in some strong performances for Salford, with maybe his first try for the club as well.
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