St Helens star Konrad Hurrell extends his stay with Super League champions: ‘It was a no-brainer’
Super League champions St Helens have retained rewarded fan favourite Konrad Hurrell with a new one-year deal for 2024.
The Tongan powerhouse was out of contract at the end of the season, but he has now put pen to paper on a new deal for a third season in the Red V, with an option for another year in 2025 in the club’s favour.
Hurrell has scored 19 tries in 41 appearances for Saints since arriving from Leeds ahead of the 2022 campaign.
The former NRL star helped St Helens win the Super League Grand Final in his first season at the club, followed by the World Club Challenge earlier this year.
On his new deal, Hurrell said: “Coming to Saints, everyone has won everything anyways and to see them still motivated to win something makes me feel grateful when I got to win another trophy with them.
“The motivation will always be there because it is the best feeling when you lift a trophy up, and I would love to have that feeling again.
“I think he has done a really great job this year (Paul Wellens), he’s been in the game for so long and knows everything, a very smart coach. It is one thing I really like about him; that he knows everything in the game.”
Paul Wellens ‘delighted’ to keep Konrad Hurrell at the club
Saints boss Wellens said it was a ‘no-brainer’ to extend Hurrell’s contract following an impressive 18-month period with the club.
Wellens said: “We’re absolutely delighted that Konrad has extended his stay at the club, it was a no-brainer decision not only on our part but also on his. He has really bought into what we are about here at St Helens.
“Off the field, he’s an infectious character and that rubs off on a lot of the players. You can’t have enough blokes who not only are good players but good people as well. Konrad fits well with what we are about perfectly.
“When he takes to the field there are very few people like him in the competition, a really destructive player, who brings so much to our team, so it’s great that Koni has made the decision to extend with us, we love having him here.”
Hurrell sends message of gratitude to Saints supporters
The Tofoa-born centre has won 12 caps for his beloved Tonga, playing in the last three World Cups.
Hurrell played seven seasons in the NRL for New Zealand Warriors and Gold Coast Titans before moving to Super League with Leeds.
He won the Challenge Cup with the Rhinos in 2020 before then linking up with St Helens following the 2021 season.
Hurrell has become a firm fan favourite on the terraces at The Totally Wicked Stadium.
In a message to the Saints fans, Konrad Hurrell said: “From day one I had to work hard and get the respect from the fans, and I hope I get to still work hard and get their respect, it’s been unreal what they’ve done for me.
“Within the first month, I got a song! I am grateful to get the love from the fans and I’ll still do my best to keep them happy.
“I’m looking forward to the rest of the year and having another year here with them and listening to them singing and being crazy.”
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