Saracens have announced the shock re-signing of second-row Joel Kpoku.
The 20-year-old, who was widely reported to have signed with Northampton Saints has signed a new deal with the Men in Black that will see him stay in north London until 2022.
Kpoku, who joined the Junior Academy in 2015, has shown great promise since scoring on his senior debut against Leicester Tigers in the Premiership Rugby Cup back in October 2018.
🗞 Saracens is thrilled to announce @joel_kpoku has committed his future to the club.
— Saracens Rugby Club (@Saracens) May 25, 2020
Here’s to making more memories, Joel 🤝#TogetherSaracens ⚫️🔴
The lock went on to earn a Premiership debut in the same season and played a key role in helping Storm lift the Premiership Rugby Shield at the end of the 2018/19 campaign.
And having experienced more first-team action this season with regular Premiership and Champions Cup outings, Kpoku cannot wait to continue his development.
“I’m over the moon to re-sign at such a great club,” he said. “The group of players that are at this club are really special.
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“Coming through the Junior Academy with a few of the boys, we’ve come a long way and it was non-negotiable for me to want stay around and push on.
“Next year will be a really good challenge for us, especially the younger guys. It’s about staying together and hopefully we’ll do a good job.”
Director of Rugby Mark McCall added: “Joel is a young player who has made steady progress over the last few years, having excelled in our Academy.
“He is dedicated to doing what is necessary to improve his game and we are excited to watch him continue his development at the club.”
The full list of who’s going & who’s staying at Saracens
Here’s our changing list of stayers, loaners, likely leavers and confirmed departures at Saracens.
STAYERS
- Owen Farrell
- Elliot Daly
- Jamie George
- Billy Vunipola
- Mako Vunipola
- Jackson Wray
- Ali Crossdale
- Vincent Koch