Cooper extends contract with Cowboys

by NRL

Second-rower Gavin Cooper has become the latest Cowboy to extend his contract after today agreeing to a new deal that runs until the end of the 2014 season.

The 26-year-old, who is in his second stint at the Cowboys, says he feels right at home in North Queensland and hopes this contract won't be his last with the club.

His extension continues North Queensland's success at re-signing their leading forwards, adding to the new long-term contracts signed by Tariq Sims and Jason Taumalolo last year and the two-year extension for prop Ashton Sims announced earlier this month.

Cooper made his NRL debut for the Cowboys in 2006 before heading off for two-year stints at the Gold Coast Titans and Penrith.

He returned to North Queensland for the 2011 season and recently brought up his half-century of NRL games for the club.

"I have travelled around a bit I guess, but I feel right at home here at the Cowboys," Cooper said.

"This new contract will make it four years this time around and hopefully we might be able to add a little extension to the end of it.

"We've got a great group of players here this year, and signed up for the next few years, and I'm really happy that I'm going to be part of what happens here."

Cowboys General Manager ? Football Peter Parr said Cooper had developed into an outstanding back-rower and his signature was a priority for North Queensland.

"You can see the development that has occurred with Gavin as a player. He's now a starting second-rower at a club that we believe has very good forward depth," Parr said.

"In addition, he was our Clubman of the Year last year which shows his attributes are not just restricted to his ability to play the game.

"He's a contributor to the Cowboys on many levels and a real asset to this club."

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