The South Sydney Rabbitohs are excited to announce the contract extension of Australian international hooker Damien Cook for a further four seasons which will see him in the red and green until at least the end of the 2023 season.
Cook, 27, has played 74 NRL matches since making his debut for the St George Illawarra Dragons against the Wests Tigers in 2013.
During his time with the Rabbitohs, which began in 2016, Cook has become the New South Wales and Australian number nine, as well as being awarded the Dally M Hooker of the Year Award and being crowned the Rabbitohs' George Piggins Medallist during his break out season in 2018.
Cook played in all three State of Origin matches for the victorious New South Wales Blues in 2018, played in Test matches for Australia against New Zealand and Tonga at season's end, and this week was named in the World XIII at hooker.
Off the field, Cook is an ambassador for FAST, an organisation which raises funds and awareness for a cure for Angelman Syndrome.
Cook is very happy to have his future secured long-term at the Rabbitohs.
"I'm very excited to be extending my contract with the Rabbitohs and I'm happy to have my future sorted," Cook said.
"Souths has been my home for the past three years and I didn't think it would be possible to be able to secure things for the next five years, but I'm so happy that that will be the case.
Damien Cook"I promise to do the very best I can every time I play, for my team mates and the Members of the Club.
"I've loved every moment of my time here, even the tough times, and I think we're building to something nicely.
"It's exciting times at the Rabbitohs and I'm looking forward to seeing where we can take it in 2019 and beyond."
Rabbitohs General Manager of Football, Shane Richardson, said Cook's extension is a key component of the Club's build up to Season 2019.
"Damien has not only proven that he is a top-level NRL hooker, he's shown that he has what it takes to compete at the highest representative levels of the game.
"He has taken on every challenge that has been put in front of him and he has overcome them.
Shane RichardsonDamien has become a leader amongst our squad and is a player that his team mates, at all levels, love to play with.
"We are very excited to have secured Damien's services for the next five years and we're certain he will excite and delight our Members every time he pulls on the famous red and green jersey."
BIOGRAPHY:
| Name | Damien Cook |
| Date of Birth | 23 June 1991 |
| Place of Birth | Sydney, NSW |
| Height | 180cm |
| Weight | 88kgs |
| Position | Hooker |
| Junior Club | Helensburgh Tigers |
| Rep Honours | Two Test matches for Australia (2018); three State of Origin matches for New South Wales (2018); one game for Country Origin (2017); one game for World All Stars (2017) |
| Awards | Dally M Hooker of the Year (2018); Provan-Summons Medallist (2018); Hooker in World XIII (2018); George Piggins Medallist for Rabbitohs' best and fairest (2018); Roy Asotasi Members' Choice Award (2018); The Burrow Appreciation Award (2018) |
| Previous Club | St George Illawarra Dragons (2013); Canterbury-Bankstown Bulldogs (2014-15) |
| NRL Games | 74 (65 for Rabbitohs, seven for the Bulldogs, two for the Dragons) |
| NRL Points | 54 (From ten tries and seven goals |
| NRL Debut | Dragons vs Wests Tigers, Sydney Cricket Ground, 14 April 2013 (Rd 6) |
| Rabbitohs Debut | Rabbitohs vs Sydney Roosters, Allianz Stadium, 6 March 2016 (Rd 1) |
