Super League: Chris Dean signs a new three-year contract with Widnes Vikings

Widnes Vikings head coach Denis Betts has expressed his delight at signing Chris Dean on a new three-year contract.

The 26-year-old, who made 24 Super League appearances with eight tries last season, had one year remaining on his old deal.

However, the Vikings have now moved quickly to secure the former St Helens and Wakefield man’s signature for the long term.

Chris is an outstanding individual and is a great bloke to have around the place. Clubs are built on people like Chris Dean - he’s a great clubman.

“Chris is an outstanding individual and is a great bloke to have around the place. Clubs are built on people like Chris Dean - he’s a great clubman,” Betts told the club’s official website.

“He’s still only young and we feel we are only just scratching the surface with him. He’s as quick and as strong as anybody at the club and we are only just starting to see his consistency.

Deserved

“We’ve given him this new deal as a reward as we feel he deserves to be part of this process and journey for longer.

“The three years he’s been at the club he’s showed us what a fantastic professional he is and we are really pleased to get this deal tied up.”

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Dean says it was an easy decision to sign a new long-term deal at Widnes, stating the club are going places after reaching the playoffs in 2014.

“It was a no brainer really,” said Dean. “I have thoroughly enjoyed the last three years here and am exciting about being a part of the progression going forward as I feel we are building something special here.

“We have come a long way since our first season and are looking to build on our achievements from 2014. I can't wait to get going in 2015 and give our fans more to cheer about as they have been fantastic and stood by us since our return to Super League.”