PROP forward Mick Hagan is set to reaffirm his loyalty to York Wasps by signing a new one-year deal.

Local boy Hagan, 23, will be starting his fifth season in the Wasps' senior ranks, having first signed professional forms in December 1997 after coming up through the academy ranks.

The numerous departures last season due to the club's financial troubles made him one of the club's longest-serving players.

Chief executive Ann Garvey said he was now set to extend his stay at Huntington Stadium by signing a new one-year deal next week.

"He has agreed to come and sign up on Wednesday subject to terms being agreeable," she said.

"We want as many local boys in the team as possible and I'm delighted Mick has agreed to stay."

She added that the club were still in negotiations with two new players and were on the verge of signing two, if not three French stars. "We do need to strengthen the team and that is why we're looking further afield," she said.

Hagan's new deal will increase his family's contribution to the Wasps' cause to 19 years.

His father, also called Mick, enjoyed 14 years with the club, playing for York Colts in the early 1970s and completing more than ten years with the senior side. He stepped up to assistant coach in the late 1980s under first-team boss Danny Sheehan while still turning out for the Alliance team.

Hagan junior, a former Clifton Moor amateur, first signed pro' forms under ex-coach Dean Robinson, having already made his first-team bow in July 1997 as an academy player.

Updated: 10:42 Saturday, October 06, 2001