The Canberra Raiders have received a massive lift to commence the 2016 pre-season, with Shannon Boyd agreeing to a new deal with the club until the end of the 2018 season.

Boyd was currently on contract with the Raiders until the end of the 2016 season, but he has extended into a new long term deal with the club.

Boyd said he’s excited about the opportunity to remain in Canberra with the Raiders and said he’s looking forward to the extra responsibility after the departure of experienced props Dane Tilse and David Shillington.

“I love Canberra. It’s like a big country town and I didn’t want to leave so having the chance to sign up for another three years is awesome and I’m looking forward to being a Raider long-term,” Boyd said. “With Tilsey and Shillo no longer here at the club I know it will be up to me and the other props to step up next year and I’m really excited about the challenge.”

Raiders CEO Don Furner said the re-signing of Boyd had been a key one and the club was hoping to have some more news on some other players re-signing over the coming weeks.

“Shannon was given an opportunity under Ricky to make the step into first grade and he’s been able to take it with both hands and is becoming a very promising young player for our club,” Furner said. “We’re very excited about having Shannon commit to the club long term and we’re working on a number of other current players to keep what we believe is developing into a very high standard NRL squad.