Friday 3 July 2015 16:50, UK
Catalans Dragons centre Tony Gigot rejected advances from Wigan, St Helens and Widnes in order to sign a new contract with them, the French club say.
The 24-year-old France international has made an impressive return to Super League with the Perpignan outfit this year after spending time with London Broncos and Australian club Cronulla.
The former Avignon player joined the Dragons for a second spell earlier this season and has now signed a contract extension that will keep him at the Gilbert Brutus Stadium until the end of 2017.
Catalans chief executive Christophe Jouffret said: "Tony has captured the imagination of the Brutus fans with some amazing performances for a player who hasn't played at this level for a long time.
"Wigan, St Helens and Widnes tried to sign him but Tony wished to remain faithful to the Dragons who have shown their trust in him and helped him to revive his career. This is a strong testimony to our club to see such a player to commit to two seasons full of promise."
Gigot, who has started the last seven matches for the Dragons, said: "It was my sole goal since I came back here to play as many matches and to prove my value and be able to get a contract.
"I am very happy that the club has been able to trust in me again and I know now that the hardest work is still to come and I have to be consistent in my performances over the next two years."
The re-signing of Gigot completed a busy day for the Catalans, who also announced a new two-year deal for forward Jason Baitieri and the return of reserve winger Jordan Sigismeau.
Baitieri, the Paris-born 26-year-old France international, has been a virtual ever-present since joining the Dragons from Sydney Roosters in 2011, although he missed half the season in 2013 with a knee injury.
Catalans coach Laurent Frayssinous said: "Jason was very unlucky with his knee injury in 2013 but he has worked hard to get back to his best.
"He is a very consistent player and I am counting on him in the coming years to transmit his experience to the young French players. He's the kind of player that every coach is looking for."
Meanwhile, the Dragons have agreed to a request from winger Damien Cardace to be released from his contract with immediate effect to enable him to rejoin his former club Lezignan in time for the start of the French Championship in September.
To plug the gap, the club have recalled Sigismeau, 22, from his loan spell with Whitehaven, where he scored three tries in six Kingstone Press Championship matches.
