Vikings have announced that 18-year-old Almer Salvilla has committed to play for the Vikings until the end of 2017.

Salvilla has played for the club for the past five years.

He first joined the Vikings on a scholarship and has enjoyed playing through the age group teams. Almer consistently delivers solid performances for the Academy side.

Salvilla is aiming to keep improving as a player in the coming years and he has eyes on regular Super League appearances: "Playing for the Academy is good for me. I have been challenged to keep improving myself to show what I am capable of.

"It is a privilege for me to have signed a new contract with the club and it shows that I need to continue working hard to get better to compete with others in the first team."

Phil Finney, Head of Youth at the Vikings commented on Almer's new deal: "Almer is another example of a player who has worked tremendously hard in his time throughout the youth system and thoroughly deserves this new contract.

"He still has lots of room for improvement which is very exciting considering how well he can perform currently.

"Almer needs to continue to work hard in the first team environment and grasp his opportunity when it comes."

Almer joins a competitive line up of first team hookers in Aaron Heremaia, Lloyd White and Grant Gore. He is enjoying honing his skills in the company of such experienced players at first team training.

Academy Head Coach Brett Hodgson commented: "There is currently a clear and effective development pathway at the club which has provided a clear structure in which Academy players with first team aspirations can develop.

"The opportunity to add further depth to the Vikings team through engaging home-grown talent is a significant positive for Denis and the coaching team and it bodes well for the Vikings future."