WHITEHAVEN half-back Karl Dixon has signed a new contract to stay at the club next season.

The 27-year-old former Wath Brow Hornets player made his Haven debut earlier this year and impressed in the few appearances he was able to make before the coronavirus lockdown ended their season.

Now Dixon has put pen to paper on a deal to keep him at the Recreation Ground next year, with the club beating competition from other clubs for his signature.

He said: “I’m delighted to have signed again for another season.

“I was starting to enjoy it when we went into lockdown.

“We hadn’t started well but I think with the squad we are building this year we will have a better season in 2021.

“I’m quite excited at the squad being put together and I’m looking forward to meeting back up with the lads and getting into training again.”

Assistant coach Jonty Gorley said he was “buzzing” to keep Dixon in the squad.

He added: “Obviously other clubs were interested but I think the draw of the Championship helped us secure his signature and there’s no doubt he fits right in at that level.

“He proved this season, in a handful of games, what an asset he could be for us and playing next year he will only improve, especially with Nikau [Williams] coming over; it would be good to see them gel.

“When Karl has the ball in hand he is a massive threat; he is a big lad who has a great running game and he can also find the right pass. He proved to be a handy defender on our left side too.

“We are all more than happy to have Karl back on board; he is an integral part of what we want to achieve at Haven.

“He signed last year as the top amateur in the area – if not in the country – so it’s now time to kick on.”

Whitehaven chairman Tom Todd was also delighted with the move and credited the football committee, head coach Gary Charlton and his staff for their work on recruitment.

“I am running out of superlatives at the moment but this re-signing is just superb,” he said.

“Karl is such an exciting player and it was so sad the season ended so quickly this year.

“However, for those of you who were lucky enough to be at Widnes we saw flashes of absolutely excellent play; he had a superb game. The lad has got ‘it’.

“I can’t wait to see this lineup for the opening matches; there is so much talent in this team.

“Some of you may not be aware of the hard work in time and effort that goes into negotiations –it’s not the five-minute job some think.

“Both sides need to feel happy with each other and I think this is the spirit in the club at the moment.

“Thanks again to the fans who I know have been waiting for this announcement to be made, such is the respect in which they hold this player.”