Gill's glee at new Cas deal

KIERAN GILL . . . hard work paid off

EMERGING Castleford centre Kieran Gill has signed a new one-year contract with the Super League leaders.

Gill's deal, which runs until the end of 2018 and includes an option for the club to extend it by a further two years, will soften the blow after the 21-year-old suffered a season-ending injury.

He made his Castleford debut on Sunday against St Helens, scoring a try as the Tigers secured a 16-12 victory to move four points clear at the top of the table, but left the field during the first half with a knee problem which will sideline him for at least six months.

Speaking about his new deal, Gill, who scored five tries in nine matches on loan at Oldham earlier this season, told the club's official website: "It is a dream come true really.

"I took a long route in getting here, but I've made sure that I believed in myself and I've worked hard to get where I am.

"I've put a lot of hard work in and to be rewarded with a new contract is amazing, and to be given a new deal for my hometown club who I grew up supporting is great.

"I must say thanks to all the coaching staff at Cas and also Oldham for helping me keep achieving and progressing as a young lad in this game. I wouldn't want to be anywhere else than Cas."

"POTENTIAL"

Tigers coach Daryl Powell added: "Kieran Gill is a young player with loads of potential. He showed in his debut last weekend that he is a player with a really bright future ahead of him.

"He's tall and athletic with a great skills set, he can play in the centre and on the wing, and I am delighted that he has agreed to sign.

"He's one of the next cabs off the rank and obviously it's disappointing he's got this injury, but this gives him confidence that he can get back and get into our first team next year."