KEIGHLEY Cougars have announced that Alix Stephenson has extended his stay at the club.

Stephenson, who became a regular in the side towards the end of the season after recovering from injury, has signed a new one-year deal until the end of 2022.

“I’m delighted to have re-signed with Keighley,” admitted the utility back.

“Every game I’ve played and been involved in so far, the fans have been amazing, which makes me feel at home.

“It’s a great set of players to be around and I think we all have the belief that we can do something special this year.

“Having Rhys (Lovegrove) as a head coach, I feel that I’m improving in every session, and I can’t wait to get back playing next season.”

Joining the club ahead of 2021 from Bradford Bulls following a successful trial during pre-season, Stephenson became the third generation of his family to pull on a Keighley jersey.

He had hoped to make a name for himself over at their West Yorkshire rivals, but he found first team opportunities hard to come by at Bulls following his debut against Featherstone in April 2019.

But he followed in the footsteps of his grandfather John, father Andy, and uncle Phil by joining the Cougars.

However, life at Cougar Park got off to a nightmare start as he suffered a broken leg in March’s defeat to former club Bradford in a pre-season friendly.

However, the newest name in the Stephenson family legacy returned from injury quicker than expected in August.

And it was fitting that he made his debut for the club in that month’s away victory against West Wales Raiders, the same day that James ‘Buster’ Feather broke the club appearance record held by his late uncle.

Stephenson then made a name for himself in his first outing at Cougar Park, with his sensational solo effort in September’s comeback victory over North Wales Crusaders sealing a place in the end of season League 1 play-offs.

He finished the 2021 season with that try against the Crusaders being the only four pointer he scored in his six appearances.