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Rugby League

GB international Bailey pledges future to Leeds Rhinos

22/04/2008

Prop Ryan Bailey has signed a new two-and-a-half-year contract with Super League champions Leeds Rhinos.

The deal will see the 24-year-old through until the end of the 2010 campaign with his hometown club, who he has played for throughout his career so far.

And after agreeing the new deal, Great Britain international Bailey claimed he would happily remain at Headingley Carnegie for the remainder of his career.

"I am pleased to have agreed the deal and hopefully over the next two-and-a-half years I can really cement my place in the side," he said.

"I am a Leeds lad and I want to spend the rest of my career here. Leeds are the best team in the world and I am playing for my hometown club so I would not want to play anywhere else."

Bailey praised the team spirit in the Rhinos dressing room, saying "it is like a family", and he said this was one of the major factors in his decision to stay.

"When I speak to former team-mates who have moved away they tell me how much they miss it, so that tells you how good this club is," he added.

"I want to mature here over the next few years and hopefully achieve even more success."

Commenting on Bailey's new deal, first-year head coach Brian McClennan said: "Ryan is a young man who has impressed me ever since I arrived at the club.

"He has worked extremely hard both in training and during games and thoroughly deserves this new deal.

"It is remarkable that he has already played seven seasons in the first team and yet he is only 24 and his best years are still ahead of him.

"I am looking forward to seeing him continue to grow and mature in the coming years."

Despite being injured at the moment, Bailey's form has been an important factor in the Rhinos' continued success this season.

After winning last year's grand final against St Helens, Leeds have reasserted themselves as the best team in Super League by winning nine of their first 11 games this season to put them top of the table.

The team also won the World Club Challenge in February, beating Melbourne Storm 11-4 at Elland Road.