Dave Thompson will be back in the chocolate, blue and gold of Whitehaven next season.

The versatile star has signed a new two year deal which will keep him at the Recreation Ground to the end of the 2020 season.

And Haven has fought off competition for his signature from a number of clubs in higher divisions including one Super League club.

Speaking about extending his stay at the Recreation Ground, Thompson said: "I’m over the moon that I’ve signed back at Whitehaven.

"I knew from when the season ended this is where I wanted to be and where I wanted to stay.

"I had a couple of teams interested in signing me but my heart was always set on Whitehaven and I am excited for the new season to start.

"Hopefully we, as a club, can get Whitehaven back as a team to where it belongs and that is the Championship.

"I would like to personally thank Whitehaven and the people who made this signing possible and also the fans who have been a honour to play in front of and made my stay here a whole lot better."

The fans' favourite can cover a number of positions having played wing, centre and second row in his two seasons at the Recreation Ground.

And at last weekend's end of season presentation night, he took the Directors' Player of the Year and the Away Supporters' Player of the Year awards.