Lewis Tierney has extended his stay at Wigan, signing a new deal with the club until the end of the 2019 season.
The 21-year old was the hero in Wigan’s dramatic victory over Wakefield on Friday, scoring a last minute winner to help the Warriors to the top of Super League.
Tierney, 21, joined the Wigan Academy at the age of 15 after playing junior Rugby League for Orrell St James ARLFC and made a try-scoring debut in the 33-32 win over Widnes in 2013.
Equally adept in the full-back or wing position, Tierney spent much of 2014 and 2015 on dual-registration at Workington Town where he made 24 appearances. So far this season he has played 14 times for Wigan, scoring five tries.
Wigan Warriors rugby director, Kris Radlinski, said: “Lewis has proved to be a very valuable member of the squad. He has been very reliable and has come up with some big plays this season and has earned this contract extension.
“It is important that we reward and extend the contracts of players that we have developed. Watching players who we sign at the age of 14 or 15 progress into seasoned first team players is tremendously rewarding for everyone at the club.
“Lewis has achieved all of his short term goals and now is the time for him to really push himself and fulfil his potential. The extension of Lewis’ contract may not get all the headlines of a new player coming in but it is valued just the same by the club and we are thrilled with this deal.”
“It is a huge achievement for me to agree this contract extension and I’m very happy to be staying at my hometown club,” Tierney said.
“I’ve enjoyed the games that I’ve played this year and I’m really looking forward to what the future holds over the next few years as I look to push on to the next level.”
Wigan Warriors head coach, Shaun Wane, added: “I’m very happy that we have been able to agree this contract extension with Lewis. Lewis is a good young Wigan kid who knows what it means to play for this great club. So far this year we have had 21 Wigan Academy graduates represent the first team including eight debutants and as a club we are very proud of that fact.
“Lewis has improved a greatly in the last few years and it excites me that there is still a lot more improvement to come.”
