VIKINGS prop-forward Alex Gerrard has signed a new deal at the Club to keep him at the Select Security Stadium for the next three Super League seasons.

Gerrard, 22, a product of the Vikings’ successful youth system, has emerged as one of the best young British props in Super League over the past 18 months and Head Coach Denis Betts has moved swiftly to sign him up for 2015, 2016 and 2017.

The Newton-le-Willows born forward has been with the Vikings since signing as a 16-year-old and Betts says his development under the expert tutelage at Widnes has been remarkable.

“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.”

Gerrard said he’s ‘playing the best Rugby of his career’ and has no desires to go anywhere else.

“I’m happy at Widnes and I’ve not even looked once at leaving the Club. 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.”