The Cronulla Sharks have re-signed emerging winger Sione Katoa on a two-year extension, tying him at the club until the end of the 2020 season.
The deal was signed off yesterday, and the 20-year old was excited by the opportunities that lay ahead.
"I'm enjoying playing in the Sharks NRL side with so many experienced players and I'm grateful for the opportunity I'm being given," Katoa told sharks.com.au.
"I just want to go out, do my job and not let the boys down. Hopefully that's been happening and I can keep doing that.
"I'm excited about the rest of this year and looking forward to the next two seasons as well."
Katoa came through the Bulldogs' and Eels' junior ranks, before joining Sharks NYC squad in 2016. After impressing in the under-20's, he was added to the Sharks' first-grade group.
And Shane Flanagan was so impressed with his work over the summer, that he granted Katoa his NRL debut in round one this season.
"It's important that we retain the talented young players we have at the club and we are very pleased to have Sione around for at least two more years," Flanagan told sharks.com.au.
"He was a part of a very good NYC team last year, was the leading try-scorer in that competition and made the Holden Cup team of the year and while it's only early days he gives every indication that he will develop into a quality first grade player and enjoy a long and successful career."
Katoa has played a total of six NRL games, with his contract capping off a massive week that saw he and his wife welcome their first child, a girl, last Saturday.