Delaney pens new Rhinos deal (From Gazette Series)

Delaney pens new Rhinos deal

9:06am Wednesday 8th February 2012 in National Sport © Press Association 2011

Australian second row forward Brett Delaney has signed a three-year contract extension with Leeds Rhinos.

The 26-year-old former Gold Coast Titans player, who joined Leeds ahead of the 2010 Super League campaign, was in the final year of his deal but has now committed to the end of the 2015 season.

Delaney claims he needed little persuading by Leeds chief executive Gary Hetherington to stay on at Headingley Carnegie, and said: "I am really happy with how things have gone for me since I came to Leeds. I am really settled here now so when I spoke to Gary Hetherington about a new contract it was a pretty easy decision for me."

He added: "By the end of this contract, I will have been here six years and I did not think that would happen when I first signed but I love being at the club and want to be part of it going forward.

"I will be 30 at the end of this deal and if I enjoy the next four years as much as I have enjoyed the last two, it will be a special part of my life."

The versatile Delaney helped Leeds win the Grand Final last year, his first Super League title.

Leeds head coach Brian McDermott said: "He has really bought into the Leeds culture which is rare these days for overseas players, who generally only come for short spells at clubs.

"He is a back-rower who can play in the centres rather than a centre who can play in the back row and I am sure he will be a big part of our squad in the years ahead."