Luke Yates commits long-term future to Huddersfield

Huddersfield prop Luke Yates has signed a new deal that will see him stay at the club until at least the end of 2024.

The 26-year-old, who was named Super League Player of the Month for July, has been an ever-present for Huddersfield since arriving at the club from Salford at the start of the season.

Yates, who has made 19 appearances for the Giants so far, said: “It was the opportunity to stay with this group and Ian Watson has led me to make the decision to extend my stay with the club.

“We’re going in a good direction with the personnel we’ve identified for next season, we’re trying to push up the table and win things in the next three years, get in those Challenge Cup Finals and Grand Finals and stay up the top end of the table and I want to be a part of that.”

“Me and Ian have been close for a while and he was a massive influence in me re-signing. He tried to get me to come when I was at London, and then brought me to Salford and has brought me across to Huddersfield. I’ve had a connection for three years now. I back him and he backs me, he’s a big influence on the decision.”

Huddersfield coach Ian Watson said: “It was huge for us to get him in last year to help us educate the players in how we go about things.

“Luke Yates has been one of the best professionals I’ve had as a coach who really sets standards on and off the field in his preparation. He’s huge in terms of where we want the group to get to and how we want to get there.

“His detail in his prep is excellent, and his work throughout the week sets the tone. The more people like that, the better the group is going to be. To be a top team you need top professionals and you need the younger lads to see how to perform and they follow their behaviours. His performances have been the best thing for me but the way he goes about things is very important. He’s an important signing.”