Indeed. Long term succession planning. What a great, new and innovative idea to bring to our club. Well done IL & MM.

I can't wait to see how this lad develops over the next few seasons. He's not only a massive lad but he's got the attitude to match and he should go on and become a top line international player.

If he builds his career here first and goes to the NRL as a frontline superleague and international player we couldn't hold any sort of grudge against him but it would have been a huge blow if he'd have left at the end of this year. He's still builidng his career and his reputation and if we weren't a big enough draw to make him want to stay here for the next few years then i'd have really worried about the future of superleague in general.

The way things look for us at the moment I can't really understand anybody wanting to leave.

I thought Gilmour wanted to leave but as to Mo he signed plenty of the current crop of younger players in the team such as McIllorum, Goulding, Hansen, TL and I even think he was in charge when the Tomkins bros were first signed not to mention Lockers (and of course the black sheep Mr Hock).

David Furner was twice the player Gilmour ever was.
The mistake was not keeping Furner.

Gilmour had a funny career up until signing for Saints tbh and I could always understand people not being fully convinced by his ability. He could be world class one week and totally average the other and seemed to blow very hot and cold for us.

His time at Bradford was ok but not spectacular and it wasn't until his move to Saints that he really kicked on a gear. The player we never should have let go from his time at Bradford alone would be Paul Johnson(although I know in truth he had to go because of the sad events that occured).............he was excellent for both the Bulls and GB over the course of a couple of years but injuries effected him in the end.

could not agree more. Furner turned them on his own into a serious team capable of winning titles, from perennial underachievers.

He was outstanding for Wigan and Leeds in his time in the UK massive error on our part allowing him to leave.

That has made my week, read the express yesterday and was gutted, as someone said they made out he'd already signed. Spent most of yesterday walking around with a face like a smacked behind. Even began getting nervous about Friday as a result of my depression!

That could turn out to be one of the best signings of the current era of the club, the lad has a massive future and really could go on to be one of the games greats.

Hell I can see a Mossop/JT seond row for midseason England game should they not want to bring Ellis back for the game!

Well done to Wigan, 5 year contracts show a great deal of faith. It also demonstrates the lad's commitment to the club.

He looks a smashing player, all the best to him. Hopefully I'll be cheering him on in an England shirt before too long.

I also hope that first England cap will numb the pain of him getting bounced around the park in the final derby at KR.

Best move for all concerned if you ask me, although I didn't know he was a Cumbrian. Should have guessed really though. They breed 'em big in that part of the world

Fantastic news, what a boost ahead of the biggest derby game for years.

What a signal of Wigan's commitment to and faith in the young players it has developed.

Other clubs will be viewing developments at Wigan since MM's appointment and SW stepping up to assistant coach with something approaching panic I suspect: what they have long feared is happening - the mighty Wigan club is rising again.

We will do well this season but the long term future is incredibly bright for the club with signings like this, the right structures in place, the old Wigan ethos back and MM's new ideas.

COME ON WIGAN!!

Well done to Lee, went out to Hudds to prove himself, came back to Wigan a better and more confident player, I had a couple of drinks in Brisbane last week with his Mum n Dad (lovely people), we discussed the possibility of a new contract with Wigan, plus, the option of playing down under, as apparently he was touted by NRL clubs, although I'm a Saints supporter its good news for SL that he has chosen Wigan

Cracking news this.

Already a first team regular, and he's getting better.

He's going to be world class.

excellent news,good to tie lee down for 5 years.going to be world class

I think his digs are at Waney's Mother in Law.

No doubt Shaun has been going round to "persuade" him to sign.