The Huddersfield Giants have handed a one-year full-time Super League contract to outside back Darnell McIntosh.

The deal will tie the 19-year-old to the club until the end of the 2017 season, with club officials delighted with the progress the youngster is continuing to make.

Although McIntosh has yet to make his Super League debut, the highly-rated teenager was impressive throughout the Giants’ pre-season campaign and has shown head coach Paul Anderson enough to earn his extension.

“Darnell had a good off-season and has been close to our 17 on a couple of occasions so far and probably has been unlucky not to do so,” said Anderson.

“This season has shown the need for good depth to all squads and we are constantly looking at the younger players to show the necessary desire and make the sacrifices needed to have a chance to become a professional Super League player at the level we need.

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“Darnell has demonstrated many qualities and everyone here at the club is delighted that he has accepted the chance to stay and keep working with us.

Darnell McIntosh.

“He is yet to tie himself down to a specific position, which at his stage of development I think is a useful string to his bow, and it’ll be interesting to see where his real strengths lie going forward as he has played full-back, wing and centre for our Under 19s so far.”

And McIntosh is excited about the chance to stay at the club for at least another season.

“My two goals at the start of the year were to get a full-time contract to stay here longer and to make my Super league debut,” said McIntosh.

“I guess you could say I am half way there and I hope that when I get back into the Academy (he is currently serving a suspension) I can catch the eye of the coaches and get a start.

“I’ve been in and around the first team training-wise for a while now and that definitely helps me to develop as a player and be ready to take my opportunity when that time comes.”