England back-rower Elliott Whitehead has signed a new deal with NRL side Canberra Raiders that will keep him at the club until the end of the 2024 season.
Whitehead arrived at Canberra at the beginning of the 2016 season and has gone on to make 138 appearances for the Raiders, scoring 32 tries. The 31-year-old was an integral part of the Raiders side which reached the NRL Grand Final in 2019; the club’s first since 1994.
On the international stage, Whitehead has earned 20 England caps including at the 2014 and 2016 Four Nations and the 2017 Rugby League World Cup. The former Bradford Bulls and Catalans Dragons forward also represented Great Britain Rugby League in 2019.
On the decision, Whitehead said: “I’ve loved every minute of playing for the Raiders and living in Canberra, so it was an easy decision for me and my partner to stay with the club. I’ve also had the opportunity to be named as Captain this year which is a huge honour.
“It’s great to have the deal done, but my focus is on helping to get the team into the finals for the third year in a row. We’ve got a great group of players here and we know we can continue our recent form and be there at the end of the year.”
Raiders CEO Don Furner added: “Elliott has been year in year out one of our most consistent performers and has developed into a really strong leader in the club.
“It’s great news for the club and our members that Elliott is staying with us for the next three seasons.”
Canberra face Newcastle Knights in Round 20 of this season’s NRL on Saturday.
