Castleford Tigers: Fans' favourite Roberts signs three-year contract extension

The 30-year-old former New Zealand and Samoa international joined Tigers from Melbourne Storm ahead of the 2015 season on a two-year deal.

Roberts made 25 Super League appearances last year, scoring nine tries and a last-gasp winning drop goal at home to St Helens.

He has played full-back, centre and loose-forward for Tigers, but has established himself at stand-off this year alongside scrum-half Luke Gale.

Roberts, who played more than 130 NRL games for Melbourne, Parramatta Eels and Canterbury Bulldogs, reckons Cas are on the verge of big things under coach Daryl Powell.

“I’m excited to be working with Daryl for a further three seasons,” he said. “Cas is definitely a club with a vision of success and I want to play a part in that. My family and I are settled here and I love playing for this club and with these boys.”

Powell described Roberts’ new deal as “fantastic news”. He added: “He is a high-quality player and person who has got better and better as he has fitted into the way that we play.

“His game is constantly improving and I think there is more to come from him as he continues to strive for excellence and development in all aspects of his game.

“He fits the type of player we want at the club with his professionalism, his desire to win things and his passion to always be at his best every week.”

Tigers chief executive Steve Gill said: “This is a really important signing for us.

“As a club we are looking for consistency in our player pool and it is a real statement of intent from the Tigers to secure this three-year deal with Ben Roberts.

“Benny has showed a real desire to stay at the club and we were only too happy to keep him.”

Roberts will miss Sunday’s game at home to St Helens due to a foot injury. He said: “I’m very happy to find out my injury isn’t as bad as we first thought. Rest assured I will be working hard to get back playing in a couple weeks.”