UPON agreeing a contract extension with Warrington Wolves, Stefan Ratchford has admitted to not being sure how the fans would have accepted him when he first signed.

The Wire and England full back is now tied to the club until the end of 2022 when he will be 34-years-old.

Ratchford has been at the club since 2012, has become a two-times Challenge Cup winner and secured the League Leaders' Shield with the club in 2016 too.

And he has also gained seven England caps.

“I am delighted to be staying. I love the club, the boys and everything we stand for," said the 31-year-old.

READ: What Steve Price says about Ratchford's contract extension

"The staff and the board have all been great with me over my time so far.

"Being a Wiganer and signing from Salford, I didn’t know how the fans would take me having come from near rivals, but they have been brilliant with me from day one.

"Hopefully we can have more success over the next few years, and I look forward to being a part of it.”

Ratchford joined the club as a stand-off but provided utility value to then coach Tony Smith, featuring in all positions except prop but mostly playing in the halves, centre or full-back.

He settled into the number one shirt but ironically, as he extends his deal, sees his position coming under heavy pressure from new kid on the block Matty Ashton.

Ratchford, who has notched 80 tries and 300 goals in his 237 Wire appearances, has been covering for the absence of Gareth Widdop in the halves and is expected to return to the back-field in the coming weeks.

There, he utilises his world-class experience in organising the defence, providing a safe pair of hands in clearing up kicks, attacking like an extra half-back and cutting up the opposition with dynamic running.