Tuesday 27 June 2017 17:14, UK
Zak Hardaker says it was an "easy decision" to join Castleford on a permanent basis from Leeds for a fee of £150,000.
The England full-back's new four-and-a-half-year contract begins on July 1 after he agreed a deal to turn his loan spell at the Tigers into a permanent move.
The 2015 Man of Steel joined the club at the start of the season on a year-long loan and has been a key member of the side that sits top of the Betfred Super League, scoring four tries and winning a recall to the England squad.
"I am really thankful for the opportunity that Daryl Powell and Steve Gill gave me to come to Castleford at the start of the season," Hardaker told castlefordtigers.com.
"To get the chance to stay here, I just jumped at the offer. I have fully enjoyed my time here so far and I think we have a couple of exciting years ahead of us. It was an easy decision to stay here once I got the offer.
"The fans are amazing. It's quite a close-knit community and the fans are so loyal. It's great for myself to be around the club and I really enjoy playing for the people of Cas."
Hardaker scored 67 tries in 155 games for the Rhinos before joining NRL side Penrith on loan in June 2016.
Tigers head coach Daryl Powell handed the then 18-year-old his professional debut while they were both at Featherstone Rovers and he is delighted to have Hardaker back in his team on a permanent basis.
"Signing Zak is a huge deal for the club. For quality players and indeed international players to come to Castleford and then want to stay and commit their long-term futures here, I feel says a lot about us as a club," he said.
"Zak is continuing to improve as a player and I believe he will continue to do so over the coming seasons.
"I look forward to working with Zak and helping him to firstly do something special with Castleford and then grow as an international player and play in the World Cup at the end of the season."
