St Helens have announced that loose-forward James Bell has signed a new contract to stay at the club until 2025.

The loose-forward has been in brilliant form in 2023 starting a lot of games in the backrow and at 13 filling in for injuries and Morgan Knowles’ suspensions.

He has proven to be a sensational signing from Leigh Leopards.

Bell joined the club at the end of 2021 and was a brilliant squad player as the Saints won a record fourth consecutive Super League title.

He has established himself as a key player this season and is set to continue to do so moving forward.

There are question marks lingering over the future of Sione Mata’utia and Curtis Sironen making tying down someone like Bell who can play in the backrow and loose-forward.

Bell represented Scotland in the World Cup and even played some minutes in the halves showing his skillset.

Speaking about remaining a Saint until the end of 2025, Bell told saintsrlfc.com: “It’s good to finally get it over the line. When I was about to sign the contract I asked myself a couple of simple questions, if I’m happy, if my family is happy, and the answers were both yes, so I am really happy to be staying.

“We have a really good group here, I know a few of the boys from back home and the boys who are from here are really welcoming. I almost feel a part of the furniture now, so it’d probably be rude to leave!”

After tasting success by helping the Red V retain the Super League crown last Autumn and become World Club Champions this year, James wants more silverware this season and in the years to come.

“Without trying to look too far ahead we want to go five-in-a-row. That’s the goal, the whole team’s goal that we are going to go for, and we’ve got the Challenge Cup that the boys are really hungry for too, so it’s an exciting time for myself and the team. I’m looking forward to it.

“On a personal level, I want to be involved in those big games and try to keep my spot in the team. It’s still all new to me, the boys have all won so much and I’m at the beginning of my journey in terms of trying to win things, so hopefully I add that hunger to the group as well. What the boys are doing already is unbelievable but I’m hoping to add something to that as well.”