Kevin Naiqama re-signs with Wests Tigers until the end of 2017

TIGERS cult hero Kevin Naiqama has inked a contract extension that will keep him at Concord until the end of the 2017 season

Kevin Naiqama of the Tigers and Greg Inglis of Souths fight for the ball over the Souths dead ball line during the Souths v Wests Tigers NRL round 3 game at ANZ Stadium, Homebush. pic Mark Evans

ELECTRIC winger Kevin Naiqama has signed a two-year extension with Wests Tigers that will keep him at the club until the end of 2017.

Naiqama has joined the club this year after an inconsistent 2014 for the Panthers but has gone from strength to strength on the right wing for the Tigers.

Filling in for the injured David Nofalouma, Naiqama has impressed with his speed, work rate and ability to find the tryline.

“I was only here on a one-year deal previously because I came to the Club looking for an opportunity,” Naiqama said in a statement released this afternoon

“I have just put my head down during the pre-season and it’s great to be recognised for that hard work.

“Obviously I just want to continue performing well this season and I’m stoked to get contract negotiations out of the way early.”

Naiqama has been impressive on the wing for the Tigers in 2015. Picture Matt King.

The Fijian international has played every match for the Tigers this season and coach Jason Taylor said Naiqama’s work ethic in the pre-season was one of the key components in the decision to retain him.

“His pre-season was an absolute standout; the way he trained day after day it was clear that he was really committed.

“Kev is a great guy to have around the Club, he just turns up and he does everything to the best of his ability every single day.

“That’s the standard that we want everyone to set at Wests Tigers and he has been a real leader in that regard.”

Naiqama has played 29 first grade games for the Knights, Panthers and Tigers since debuting in 2010, scoring 18 tries.

Originally published as Kevin Naiqama re-signs with Wests Tigers until the end of 2017