Castleford Tigers have secured the future of half back Luke Gale with a new five-year contract. Gale, who was under contract for 2017, will now remain at the club until the end of the 2021 season.
Gale started his career with Leeds Rhinos but never broke through into the first team. He joined Doncaster in 2007 and eventually established himself as one of the best players in that league, winning the Young Player of the Year award in 2008.
The half-back attracted interest from Super League teams after his stellar 2008 season and eventually moved to Harlequins and spent three years with the club before moving back north in 2011 to join Bradford Bulls.
Gale immediately impressed at the Bulls and earned a three-year extension in 2013. Injuries and poor form saw the team relegated, and Gale was allowed to leave to join the Tigers.
During 2015, Gale quickly hit his stride with a new-look Castleford team and helped his side finish fifth in Super League, also earning the Albert Goldthorpe Medal for his performances, along with a call-up to the England team. Gale, along with teammate, Michael Shenton was also selected for the Super League Dream Team of 2015.
Gale said: “I’m delighted to have signed my new deal with Castleford Tigers and it’s great to be able to put all the rumours to bed. I love what Daryl and Steve are building here, it’s a great club to be part of and I’m excited to see what the future holds for the club in the coming years. The fans are amazing and we’ve built a brilliant team here who are hungry for success and to bring silverware back to Castleford. I did have interest from elsewhere but I always wanted to stay here, and I’d like to see out the rest of my career here at Castleford Tigers.”
Tigers head coach Daryl Powell said: “Luke Gale has been outstanding since he signed at Castleford Tigers and I expect him to improve every year he is with us. I am delighted that he has signed a contract extension which will keep him at the Tigers for the next five years. I fully expect him to become the next England half back and look forward to him continuing to grow as a person and a player within our environment.”
Castleford CEO Steve Gill added: “I’m really pleased that Luke has committed to the Tigers until the end of the 2021 season. Luke realises what we are trying to build here at the club and definitely wants to be part of it. I would also like to put on record my thanks to our Chairman Ian Fulton, and our Board of Directors for their vision in taking the club forward, by moving quickly to make this happen, and also thanks to Craig Harrison at SMTM agency for his honesty throughout.”
AND CASTLEFORD FANS, THERE’S MORE TO COME FROM GALE IN MONDAY’S LEAGUE EXPRESS – WHEN WE SPEAK TO THE HALF-BACK EXCLUSIVELY ABOUT HIS NEW DEAL. DON’T MISS IT!
