England lock Itoje signs new deal with Saracens
Written by I Dig SportsEngland lock Maro Itoje has signed a new "long-term" contract with Saracens.
The five-time Premiership winner has made 175 appearances for the club after making his debut in 2013.
Itoje, 29, has won three European Champions Cup titles at StoneX Stadium, and was also named European Player of the Year back in 2016.
The news comes after England captain Owen Farrell agreed a deal to leave Saracens for French side Racing 92 earlier this month.
Second row Itoje has been called up by England for this year's Six Nations, with their opening game against Italy in Rome on Saturday.
The Saracens academy graduate has 76 international caps and won the Six Nations Grand Slam in 2016, as well as playing in the 2019 World Cup final defeat by South Africa.
He was also part of the England team to reach the semi-finals of last year's World Cup in France, again losing to the Springboks.
In a stellar club career, Itoje won the Premiership four times in five years between 2015 and 2019, as well as the European Champions Cup in 2015-16, 2016-17 and 2018-19.
He opted to stay with the club through relegation in 2020, after Saracens had been found guilty of breaching salary cap rules, winning the Championship and promotion back to the top flight at the first time of asking.
'A world-class player' - McCall
"Saracens is my home and I couldn't be happier to be staying here," Itoje said on signing his new contract.
"Looking back I am very proud of what we have achieved over the last 10 years and it is the best place for me to keep progressing.
"With the squad we have I really believe we have some massively exciting times ahead and I can't wait to be a part of it moving forward."
The north London club are fourth in the Premiership on 36 points, one point behind second-placed Harlequins.
They face Bordeaux Begles in the last 16 of the Champions Cup.
Saracens director of rugby Mark McCall said: "Maro has gone from a promising academy prospect to a global figure in rugby.
"He is a world-class player, but what sets Maro apart is his dedication to his craft; the standard he sets, how he goes about his work on and off the field and how this expresses his love for the club and for the game.
"We know the best of Maro is yet to come."