Gareth Widdop Dragons contract: St George Illawarra re-signs star five-eighth, captain on long-term deal

DRAGONS captain Gareth Widdop has re-signed with the club on a long-term deal to partner Ben Hunt, St George Illawarra confirmed on Saturday.

Gareth Widdop.

DRAGONS captain Gareth Widdop has re-signed with the club for the next four seasons, St George Illawarra confirmed on Saturday.

The five-eighth, 28, is one of the NRL’s in-form players in 2017 and will remain with the Red V until the end of 2021.

His re-signing for the high-flying Dragons was widely expected and will see him form a big-name halves pairing with $6 million recruit Ben Hunt next season.

The England international joined the Saints from Melbourne in 2014. His retention finishes pre-season rumours that he may have been lured back to the English Super League.

With his long-term deal in place, the goal-kicking playmaker may overhaul Jamie Soward’s club record of 977 points.

Gareth Widdop has re-signed with the Dragons.

“The Dragons have grown more and more since I’ve arrived. There’s a good environment here and it’s a good place to be so I wanted to play my part in that,” Widdop said in a club statement.

“At this stage of my career it certainly was a big decision for my family. I have three young kids, I’m very settled here in Wollongong and I’m enjoying my time here. So while it was a big decision, I’m happy to be staying.”

Dragons director of rugby league pathways Ian Millward said: “We have shown a lot of confidence in Gareth as our long-term leader by offering him a four-year contract.

“We were very conscious of creating stability and consistency in our team and we feel we have achieved that with the re-signing of Gareth. Gareth’s our leader and obviously plays in a vital position so we’re over the moon that he has re-signed.”

Originally published as Gareth Widdop Dragons contract: St George Illawarra re-signs star five-eighth, captain on long-term deal