WIDNES Vikings half-back Danny Craven has signed a new three-year deal at the Club.

Craven, put pen to paper yesterday after the Vikings booked their place in the Semi-Final of the Tetley’s Challenge Cup with a comprehensive win over Keighley Cougars.

The St Helens born pivot has been with the Vikings since he was 17 and is a product of Widnes’ Academy system that has produced the core of Denis Betts’ squad.

Craven, who has plundered 165 points in 47 Vikings games, says he’s delighted to have signed a new deal that keeps him at the Club until at least 2017.

He said: “It's good to get the contract sorted and out the way and I can play without any pressure and hopefully put a few good performances in.

"I know everyone at the Club and it's one that's going places. We have a great set of lads, good coaching staff, medical team and Widnes as a Club have looked after me since I joined.

"I know Joey Mellor and Kev Brown are the starting half-backs but I'm biding my time and working hard in training and when Denis calls me, I'm ready to do a job for the team.

"My goal before the start of the season was always to stay at Widnes and keep improving as a player and help the Club achieve something in the future.

"We are now 80 minutes away from a Challenge Cup Final and a first Wembley appearance in 18 years, plus we are in the top 8 in Super League and it's a great time to be involved in the Club."

Vikings boss Denis Betts is excited to be working with Craven for the next few years and seeing his talent develop even further.

Betts said: “There’s been a number of players out of contract at the end of the year and the retention of quality players within our squad has been a paramount objective for the Club. Danny is central to that and we are pleased that he’s committed his future to us and keep his development with this group.

“He’s an exciting, talented young kid and there’s so much more to come from Danny. The potential within his reach is frightening and we hope he will come out the other side and have a great career with Widnes Vikings.

“A couple of injuries have set him back but I’m pleased he’s staying with us and being a part of Widnes Vikings building success in the future.”

The Vikings have now signed or retained 11 players for the next two seasons.