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Leicester statement: Contract extension confirmed for Mike Brown
By Liam Heagney
The 2023 Mike Brown resurgence has had another happy development as the ex-England full-back has signed a deal that will see him stay at Leicester for the 2023/24 season. The 37-year-old had been left without a club following his release at the end of last season by Newcastle.
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It left him fearing retirement, as per an exclusive October interview with RugbyPass, but the sudden January departure of Freddie Burns to the Super Rugby Highlanders opened a slot at Mattioli Woods Welford Road.
Brown initially went on trial at the club and after agreeing to a short-term deal, he has since enjoyed five Gallagher Premiership starts and scored two tries.
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Interim boss Richard Wigglesworth confirmed at his weekly media briefing last week that negotiations regarding a contract extension were progressing nicely with Brown and a deal has now been struck on Tuesday, the same day that the club announced the signing of London Irish winger Ollie Hassell-Collins and also confirmed an extension for Cameron Henderson in the forwards.
A statement read: “Leicester Tigers have agreed to a new deal with Mike Brown which will see the outside back remain at the club beyond the current season. Brown joined the Tigers on a short-term contract midway through the current campaign and has made five appearances and scored two tries to date.
'I literally haven’t spoken to anyone'@mikebrown_15 hasn't given up on finding a new club. He talks to @heagneyl ??? about adjusting, unemployment, keeping his weight on + his major bugbears with Eddie's England selections. https://t.co/qS0I8Nahli
— RugbyPass (@RugbyPass) November 6, 2022
“The England international made the move to Leicester after stints with Harlequins, where he won two Premiership titles, and Newcastle Falcons. Brown made 72 Test appearances for England between 2007-2018 during which he won three Six Nations titles.”
Wigglesworth said: “I’m really pleased for Mike, who has earned the new deal with not only his performances in games but in the way he has come into the club and added to our group. His experience has been invaluable and the professionalism he has is something that we have seen help improve his teammates here at the club.
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“The circumstances in which Mike returned were unique and challenging, but you would never know by the way he has approached each day and this contract is a just reward for that hard work.”
Brown added: “Since arriving, I have been really impressed with the environment here at Leicester Tigers and feel that they fit with the values I have as a person and a rugby player. I have really enjoyed working with the quality of players in this squad and coaches, which I want to continue to do and am excited to keep doing.
“The opportunity to play at Welford Road with the supporters this club has was something I admittedly wasn’t quite sure about after being an opposition player for so long, but they have welcomed me so well and it is great that I can keep doing that. It means so much to me to be able to represent a club of this magnitude and, hopefully, people have seen just how much I appreciate that opportunity.
“From the very first conversation I had with Richard, I said I wanted to contribute to the environment on and off the field; I want to set examples to the young lads and help them, but also make sure that when I get that chance to pull on the shirt, I am ready and can help the team be the very best it can be.”
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