The North Queensland Cowboys have announced a contract extension for injured forward Thomas Mikaele, securing his presence with the club until the end of 2028.
This new two-year deal removes him from the open market, where he had been since November 1, when players without contracts for the end of 2026 could start talks with other teams.
Mikaele, who joined the Cowboys in 2024 on a development deal, has participated in 23 games for the team, including his debut in Round 1 in Las Vegas, where he suffered an injury.
He is expected to make his return in the upcoming weeks, providing much-needed support to coach Payten's team, which faced a challenging loss to the Wests Tigers recently.
"We are delighted Tom has agreed to extend his time in North Queensland," Cowboys Recruitment Manager Clint Zammit stated in a press release.
"Tom is a wonderful example of how hard work and dedication can change the trajectory of your career. He came to the club on a Development List contract after short stays at different clubs in the NRL and Super League and is now a vital member of the squad."
"He is a powerful runner of the ball and provides a point of difference to the attack with his offloading."
"We look forward to his contributions to the club on and off the field."
The Cowboys have afforded Mikaele the stability he has been seeking after a tumultuous couple of years.