North Queensland back Murray Taulagi has agreed to a two-year contract extension that will see him remain at the club until the end of the 2021 NRL season.

The 20-year-old joined the Cowboys in 2016 at the age of 17, and was promoted to the top squad in 2019 after a breakout 2018 season which saw him represent the Queensland under-20’s and Junior Kangaroos.

Cowboys recruitment manager Clint Zammit said that Taulagi’s development in an unfamiliar position since joining the club was pleasing.

“He was big and athletic with good balance when we first spotted him,” Zammit told the club's website.

“He was playing fullback, but we thought with his physicality he would probably be better suited to our game as a centre or winger.

“He’s progressed his game over the last two years and we believe he’s ready to take the next step now.

“Murray is a kid with a skillset which will translate perfectly into the NRL.

“At this stage of his career he is probably best suited to the wing, but he has all the attributes to indicate he could thrive as a centre in the NRL as well.”

The Cowboys take on the Raiders at home on Saturday afternoon in Round 4.