Workington Town have seen off attention from a host of rival clubs to bring captain Ollie Wilkes back for next season.

A number of sides tried to lure Wilkes away from Derwent Park after his stellar performances helped the club come within a whisker of promotion from League One last season, just falling short against Bradford then Swinton.

But the experienced ex-Super League star admitted he couldn’t see himself leaving and said he would love to end his career with Town.

He said: “I really enjoyed my time there this year.

“It’s a great club with great people.

“I couldn’t see myself moving on again and would love to sign off with the Town.

“It should be a great season and I can’t wait to get started.”

The 38-year-old, who hit a career milestone of 500 professional games earlier this month, spoke last season about how well the club had treated him.

Les Ashe, Town’s director of rugby, showered praise on the forward and expressed his happiness at getting the deal done.

He said: “Ollie was outstanding for us last season.

“He only missed one game all season and that’s because we wanted to avoid the potential of him getting injured for a crucial game.

“He is a great leader on and off the pitch and brings his physicality to every game.

“To have a player of his experience is invaluable in this league because it’s a tough division with some great teams.

“We’re building a formidable pack with the lads we’ve already signed and we’re delighted Ollie loves it at Town and is going round again.

“To have played 500 professional games at the highest level is astonishing.

The Scottish international helped Barrow win promotion from League One last year before signing for Town.

He made 28 appearances for the West Cumbrians last season, scoring nine tries and picking up two man of the match nominations.

At the club’s annual end of season presentation night, Wilkes scooped the awards for most influential player off the field, the Shaun Weaver player of the year and the John Bentley Trophy for the coaches’ player of the year.

His former clubs include Wigan, Widnes, Huddersfield, Wakefield and Leigh Centurions.

Players who have already signed for Town for next season are Stevie Scholey, Scott Rooke, Tom Curwen, Perry Singleton, brothers Kurt and Gordon Maudling, Karl Olstrom, Andrew Dawson, Tyllar Mellor, Carl Forber and Ryan Fieldhouse.