Jordan Johnstone pens new Widnes deal

Jordan Johnstone has become the latest player to commit his future to Widnes.

The 21-year-old joined the club’s academy in 2015 and made his Super League debut the following year against Catalans Dragons.

Johnstone has made 36 appearances for the Vikings and enjoyed a loan spell at London Broncos at the start of the 2018 campaign.

On his contract extension, Johnstone said: “After a disappointing campaign in 2018, I feel like I owe it to the club to try and get them back up to Super League next year and give my all.

“The club have gone out and retained all of the youngsters and are trying to create something special, with the addition of some senior lads. It’s an exciting time because the young lads have worked hard coming through the ranks, and I’ve played with every one of them at academy level. We all know each other inside and out, and hopefully we can click during pre-season and hit the ground running.

“It would be outstanding for me to be part of a team that brings this club back to Super League. I couldn’t put into words how good it would feel if this group of players can take the Vikings back to the top flight in 2020.

“The Championship is a tough physical division, but it probably isn’t as fast as Super League. There are some big bodies in there though, it is a physical competition and it isn’t going to be easy by any means. We will need to be at our best every week when we’re going to the likes of Batley and Dewsbury because they are tough places to go.”