Peacock Signs New Contract With Rhinos

6 July 2011, 10:43 | Updated: 30 March 2016, 13:50

Jamie Peacock's sealed his future with Leeds Rhinos for at least the next year.

The England captain's signed a 12 months contract and insists it won't be his last.

Peacock's made 153 appearances since joining his home-town club from Bradford at the start of the 2006 season and will turn 34 in December but he believes he has at least two more seasons left at the highest level.

'It is good to have my future sorted out and I am pleased to be here at the Rhinos for at least another year,

'Both the club and I were happy just to agree a one-year deal. That is the nature of professional sport when you get to my stage of my career.

'However, hopefully I have got a few more years in me yet. I am only 33 and I think we are now seeing that 35 is the new 30 in Super League with players who look after their bodies being able to play on past the age when they used to retire.'

Peacock suffered a season-ending knee injury in a win at Castleford last August, making his return on the same ground three months ago, but has started each of Leeds' last nine matches.

'I feel really fresh at the moment, I can't believe there are only seven games to go in Super League this season.

'Normally I would be pulling my body through at this stage of the season but I feel in great shape because of the time I had off through injury.'

Peacock was forced to miss last year's Four Nations Series in Australia and New Zealand with his injury but is expected to captain England this year and has his eyes set on the 2013 World Cup.

Leeds coach Brian McDermott, who played alongside Peacock for Bradford, has no doubt the player can continue for several more years:

'Jamie Peacock is an incredible athlete and someone who has an irrepressible desire to succeed,

'Not so long ago, the injury that he suffered last season would have made it difficult for you to walk for the rest of your life and yet he returned ahead of schedule and stronger than he was before the injury.

'He is an integral part of our squad and a fantastic ambassador for our game.

'He is someone who does the right things by his club, his team-mates, his country and most importantly his family and is someone that we should hold up as an example to young people about how they should approach their lives.

'I am delighted he has agreed a new contract and I am sure we will see him here for many years to come.'