HOMETOWN product Jermaine McGillvary has signed a new five-year deal with Giants.

The 23-year-old has committed himself to the club until 2016 and is delighted at the prospect.

“I’m really pleased to be at my hometown club for hopefully the best years of my career,” said McGillvary, who has scored 20 tries in just 30 Super League appearances and is a member of the England Knights squad.

“Three years ago I was in the academy and now I’ve come through the first year and got a five-year deal so it’s great news – and it’s really good for my family.”

Giants head coach Nathan Brown is pleased McGillvary has agreed the deal and said: “Jermaine’s long-term signing is good news for the club and he is only going to continue to improve.

“He has worked hard on his game and over the last two years has developed well. He has good on and off-field habits and his training standards are high. He is a fine role model for other kids at the club.”

Giants managing director Richard Thewlis said the club have rightly rewarded a young player who has come through to be a regular starter, after having spells on loan with Batley and Barrow.

“Jermaine’s story is truly remarkable and we are delighted to retain him at our club for this long term,” said Thewlis.

“He came into the game relatively late and has worked incredibly hard with us, from being on dual registration to the point today where he is an England Knight and Super League regular.

“A number of clubs are short on English talent and we are aware that many eyes are being cast towards our players, so for us to keep a local lad like Jermaine in the claret and gold is wonderful news.

“He is comfortably one of our most popular players and there is a real buzz of excitement from our fans when he gets the ball, but yet both he and Nathan will say that he still has lots of improvements which will come into his game as he gains experience and continues to train in our environment.”

McGillvary was happy to sign knowing the Giants have already secured the core of their squad on long-term deals.

“Kevin Brown and Danny Brough and a number of us have signed up so we’ve got a good core of players who are staying here for the long run,” said McGillvary.

“It’s also good watching new good players coming in as well and this can only be positive for the club.

“I definitely want to keep progressing as a player and for the team; I definitely want to win something and get to a couple of finals.

“I want to keep improving and maybe get one or two England appearances.

“But I’m just focusing on doing well for the team and hopefully the team will do well in the next five years.

“We’ve got a good set of fans and with the season ticket offer it will help us strive towards 10,000 fans. The more people the better for me really – they already create a good atmosphere and they could create a great atmosphere.

“I’m definitely enjoying my rugby at the moment. It’s going really well and it’s my second season. I’ve been doing pretty good this season but there have been times when I haven’t been doing so well but the coach has stuck with me so it shows how far I’ve come from last year.”

The Giants, who travel to Salford City Reds in Super League on Friday (8.00), are waiting on two fronts when it comes to injuries.

Both former Australian star forward Luke O’Donnell and international half back Danny Brough are having further assessments on the damage they sustained in Friday night’s 19-6 defeat at St Helens.

For 30-year-old second rower O’Donnell the season is already over after he suffered cruciate ligament damage to his left knee, but he is having further tests to assess just how long he could be absent.

Brough has damaged muscles in his side and lower back and he will have to await the outcome of tests before knowing whether he will miss more games this season after being denied his chance to play for England earlier in the campaign by an ankle injury.

Meanwhile, 30-year-old prop forward Darrell Griffin continues to be linked with a close season move to join Leeds Rhinos for the 2012 campaign.