Gerrard signs new three-year deal at Widnes

Alex Gerrard has signed a new, three-year contract with Widnes Vikings, the club have confirmed.

The 22-year-old prop has emerged as one of the Vikings’ more consistent performers over the last year, and coach Denis Betts believes that he can get even better.

“Alex has developed into one of the top young Super League props in the competition,” Betts said.

“He’s a prop who regularly is in the top five of every piece of data analysis that’s measured. We believe Alex has the potential to go really far in the game and we are pleased to have secured his services for at least another three years.

He was a player that our coaches spotted something in when others perhaps didn’t when he was a young kid.

“Credit must go to Phil Finney, our Head of Youth Performance, in that development process as he’s been shaped into a player who has come on leaps and bounds in the First Team environment.

“He’s young, talented and British and he very much fits the philosophy of the Vikings. We want to develop talent like Alex and he deserves his extension.”

The player himself is looking forward to building on his progress over the next three years of his career.

“I’m happy at Widnes and I’ve not even looked once at leaving the club,” he said.

“I want to be a part of what’s being created here and therefore there’s no other club I’d rather be at at the moment.

“I feel I’m improving as a player but realise I’m not the finished article yet and I’m looking forward to getting there under Denis Betts and the rest of the coaches at Widnes.

“I’ve been pleased with my season and what I’ve contributed but I feel I can get bigger and stronger and become a better player here. I can’t wait for pre-season now and getting ready to go again in 2015.”