LOCAL favourite Joe Porter's headline grabbing efforts at York City Knights have been rewarded with an improved two-year deal at Bootham Crescent.

The 25-year-old packman, who was plucked from the amateur game 16 months ago after starring for York Acorn and in the inaugural East York v West York challenge match, has signed a contract that keeps him at the club until the end of 2020.

His current deal - effectively an augmented pay-as-you-play agreement - was to run out at the end of this season, but the club have quickly moved to pin him down longer-term, especially after his two tries in the BBC-streamed Challenge Cup clash against star-studded Catalans Dragons lifted his profile throughout the sport.

Porter said: "I am absolutely delighted to commit my future to the Knights. It is an honour and a privilege to represent my hometown team, and repay the faith they showed in me when signing me from the amateur game.

"I have learned so much already during my time at the Knights, and I still feel that I have more improvement in me.

"I'm excited to see where this team can go over the next few years."

Porter played 17 times in his maiden season with his hometown pro club last year, earning an extended deal for 2018 along the way, and he has so far featured in seven of the Knights' nine games this term, being The Press and the sponsors' man of the match against the Dragons last Sunday.

Head coach James Ford said: "I'm delighted that Joe is sticking with us.

"He works really hard in training and he has come on in leaps and bounds, and I'm enjoying working with him.

“Joe brings bucketfuls of enthusiasm to the group. It’s infectious and it rubs off on the blokes around him how much energy and desire he’s got.

"He's got that thing you can't coach - a desire to win and to never give in. He's not the biggest but he tackles and runs onto the ball with real intent."

He added: “Joe is a credit to York Acorn, and he is a great example to the junior players at all our community clubs in this city that if you work hard, the opportunities are there.

"His attitude is second to none and I am excited to see his game develop.”