Canberra have kept rookie hotshot Nick Cotric off the NRL player market by handing him a two-year extension, keeping him at the club until the end of the 2020 NRL season.
The 18-year-old Cotric was a revelation with the Raiders last season, scoring 16 tries and appearing in all 24 games to claim the NRL rookie of the year award.
"It's been a massive year being able to make my NRL debut and I've enjoyed every minute of it," Cotric said on Friday.
"The boys have been a huge help for me and it helped me make my decision to re-sign.
"There's been heaps of support from the team and club and I'm looking forward to continuing to play for the Raiders."
The development comes two days after the Raiders were one of three teams in the league to already begin preparations for the 2018 season.
Cotric's re-signing solves a recruitment puzzle for the club over the next 12 months, with fellow stars Blake Austin, Aidan Sezer and Josh Hodgson without deals in 2019.
Key forwards Josh Papalii, Shannon Boyd, Junior Paulo and Iosaia Soliola are also without contracts beyond next year.
Raiders boss Don Furner said the club was proud to secure the future of a local junior in Cotric.
"Nick's had a huge first season in first grade and the clubs proud to have a player who grew up in Canberra recommit to the club," Furner said.
"We pride ourselves on developing talent and Nick is one of the best upcoming talents in the game."
