Tigers Ace Ryan
CommitsTo Cas

Castleford Tigers are very pleased to be able to announce that Ryan Hudson has signed a two-year extension to his current contract. Ryan was already contracted with the Tigers until the end of the 2003 campaign but such has been his form we were keen to offer him a longer deal and he has now committed himself to a further two years at the club, taking him to at least the end of the 2005 campaign.

Castleford?s Chief Executive Richard Wright said: ?We are launching our 2003 season tickets this week and the message that we want to put over to our fans is that our plans here at the Tigers are to build a squad that is capable of making a real challenge for honours over the next couple of years. Key to that plan is to have a strong core of top quality youngsters in that squad and Ryan fits the bill perfectly. Since joining us this year he has proved a tremendous acquisition and very quickly established himself as a real fans favourite. Ryan?s ability and enthusiasm would almost certainly have put him in great demand when his contract came to an end next year, but we have headed this off and secured his future with the Tigers. I?m sure that our fans will be absolutely delighted by this news.?

Ryan Hudson said: ?I?m very happy to have signed this extension. I?ve really enjoyed my first season at the Tigers. I?ve learnt loads under Graham Steadman and the guys here are a great bunch of lads.

?I think that Castleford are going places and if we can keep improving then I?m sure that we can push forward and achieve some success. From a personal point of view that can only help me to gain representative honours but firstly I want the club to do well and our recent form has shown that we are definitely heading in the right direction.?

Hudson joined Castleford from neighbours Wakefield Wildcats prior to the current season. He had previously played for the Huddersfield Giants. At the end of last season Hudson captained the England under-21 side who travelled to South Africa.