St Helens tie up Jack Welsby on long-term deal

James Messenger 26 Nov 2019 10:23 AM

St Helens have announced that talented full-back Jack Welsby has signed a new four-year deal, keeping him at the club until the end of the 2022 season.

The 18-year-old impressed following a string of impressive performances in 2019, and despite acting as understudy to Lachlan Coote, still managed to make 11 appearances, scoring three times.

Welsby joined Saints from amateur side Blackbrook in 2014 and impressed on their Academy tour to Australia in 2017.

Following a string of excellent performances, he made his first team debut against Hull FC making his first-team debut in 2018.

The club have the option to extend Welsby’s deal for a further year.

On the extension, Welsby said: “I am made up. Finding out that I had been given a new contract is exactly what I wanted heading into the new season. It’s a great lift for myself going into pre-season.

“I have been at the club for a long time now and I have only ever seen myself playing here. The way it is going so far, I have loved every minute of everything I have done so I am really happy.

“I just want to keep working hard now and get a good pre-season under my belt, challenge people in my positions and push everyone to be the best and that is how we will get the best out of the team and get the best results we can.”

Head Coach Kristian Woolf said: “I am delighted Jack has signed an extension to his current deal. Jack is a tremendous talent and proved last season with a string of impressive performances that he is a Super League player.

“In the short time I have been with him I can see his potential and the enthusiasm Jack has to learn and develop his game.

“He knows he has a lot of hard work in front of him, but he will be learning from the best with the likes of Lachlan Coote and Jonny Lomax in and around him.

“He has a fantastic future in the game and we are delighted that future will be with us here at St.Helens.”