Raiders outside back Jordan Rapana has agreed to a new two year deal with the Raiders, which will see him remain with the club until the end of the 2017 season.

Rapana’s current deal was for the end of the current season, but his outstanding start to 2015 has allowed him to secure a new deal with the club which threw him an NRL lifeline mid-way through 2013 after a five year hiatus from the code.

Now after securing a new two year deal Rapana is looking to continue his NRL career with the Raiders and said he wants to repay the faith the club has showed in him.

“I’m very happy here in Canberra and it’s great to be able to re-sign with the club who gave me a chance to further my NRL career,” Rapana said. “I feel like I’m starting to develop my game to a level where I think I’m making a good contribution to the team and I want to continue to get better each week.”

“I feel like I’ve improved my game since I came back to rugby league and I’m establishing myself here as an NRL player.”

Rapana said the Raiders squad was starting to show their potential, and said he was happy to be a part of a backline which includes a lot of talented players and would continue to play where Coach Ricky Stuart needed him.

“I’m very comfortable being on the end of some very talented outside backs and it makes my job a lot easier,” he said. “I’m happy to play anywhere in the team and Ricky knows I’m comfortable at fullback if he needs me there, so I’ll just keep working hard and hopefully keep my place in the team.”

Raiders CEO Don Furner said the club was looking forward to seeing Rapana continue to improve over the next two seasons and said he deserved a contract extension.

“Jordan has been wonderful for the team since getting his chance at the back end of last season and a strong start to this year warranted a contract extension,” Furner said. “We look forward to seeing him continue to work on his game and we are confident he’ll carry on his current form across the next two seasons.”