Alker, 27, who has signed a three-year deal, had been linked with Australian side St George Illawarra as he was out of contract at the end of the season.

But he said: "My heart has always been with Salford and I love the city. You don't spend 10 years at one place without some attachment to the place."

Highton has signed a two-year deal which keeps him at the club until 2008.

Alker, who has been with the Reds since 1995, has made over 200 appearances for the club and is in his testimonial season.

He is one of the form hookers in the competition and I think the best is yet to come Steve Simms on Malcolm Alker

The hooker had stalled over putting pen to paper and the Reds had given him until 28 April to make a decision.

"It's a great day for the club," said delighted Salford director of football Steve Simms.

"The staff, the players and everybody involved with the club are very happy indeed.

"He is one of the form hookers in the competition and I think the best is yet to come.

"He did have an offer from the NRL but he has a young family and he just felt at this stage in his career it wasn't the right move for him."

Simms recently returned from a scouting mission to Australia which he says was "very productive", although Melbourne Storm's former Test stand-off Scott Hill is one player thought to have rejected an offer.

Salford are also waiting to hear whether coach Karl Harrison will accept their offer of a new three-year deal.

"We've not pushed him at all," added Simms. "I'm sure next week he will get back to us."