Castleford Tigers’ popular Australian prop Grant Millington has been hailed as a “special player” after signing a new contract for the Super League club for 2021 which will ensure he completes 10 seasons for them.

The 33-year-old stalwart has made over 200 appearances for the Tigers since joining them from Canterbury Bulldogs ahead of the 2012 season, the most by an overseas player in the club’s history, and he admitted that next year could be his last in the game.

Castleford coach Daryl Powell has lavished praise on the man from Auburn this season, saying that he felt he had gone on to another level.

“Overseas players come over to the UK and spend time at clubs, but for a player to come and spend 10 seasons with a club is pretty special and almost unheard of,” said Powell.

“He came over and he’s grown, certainly in my time at the club, and he has been a special player for Castleford Tigers in every way, and I’m delighted that he is staying here with us.”

“I’m really happy to get it sorted and be sticking around for another year,” said Millington, who played 49 games for Cronulla between 2008 and 2010 and turned out seven times for the Bulldogs in a brief stay.

“I’ve almost spent a third of my life here when you really think about it and I’ve had some of the best moments of my life here.

“The birth of my three kids, the League Leaders’ Shield, the Grand Final, they are all things that I know I’m going to remember forever. I’ve really enjoyed my time here and it’s something I won’t forget for sure.

“I still honestly believe that we’ve got something pretty special here. I firmly believe that we can still do things and I’m desperate to make it here in what could be my final year.”