Huddersfield Giants rising star signs new deal

The 21-year-old made his debut two years ago and missed only one of Giants' six games this year before rugby league was suspended because of the Covid-19 pandemic.

Wardle, who was committed to Huddersfield until the end of 2020, said: "I am happy at the club and with the progress I have made over the past couple of years and that is the biggest reason why I have extended my contract.

"I’ve got a good relationship with the staff and their belief in me made it a much easier decision."

The aim for Wardle, whose older brother Joe also plays for Giants, is "to stay consistent and maintain my place in the team".

He added: "For us as a squad it is to compete with the top teams and try eventually to win some silverware.

"With the squad we’ve got and the culture we’ve built we believe we can."

Giants moved to secure Wardle midway through the sport's extended layoff.

"While it has been very mentally challenging being at home all day and not knowing when we’ll be back playing, the break has made me eager to get back into training and back playing every week," the youngster stressed.

"I’m sure everybody at the club feels the same."

Coach Simon Woolford believes the former England academy international, who came through Huddersfield's youth system, has a big future in the sport and at the club.

“Jake is a smart kid who has a fantastic understanding of the game," said Woolford.

"He’s a quiet kid who doesn’t say a lot, but certainly makes a lot of sense when he does.

“He has shown great faith in the Giants, and we look forward to repaying that faith in continuing to develop our squad into a force capable of competing for Betfred Super League titles.”

Woolford stressed: “I think Jake has the potential to not only become a representative player, but actually dominate at that level.

"Physically he has developed immensely over the past two years.

"With that has come more consistent time on the field and in his performances.”