Bundee Aki has signed a contract extension at Pete Wilkins' Connacht, that will see his residence in the west of Ireland span 13 years.
The new deal, which runs until the end of the 2024/25 season, will expire just prior to the British and Irish Lions tour of Australia, by which time the centre will be 35.
Nominated for World Rugby men's player of the year this week, alongside World Cup finalists Ardie Savea and Eben Etzebeth as well as France's Antoine Dupont, Aki was regarded as the standout performer for Ireland in their 2023 World Cup campaign.
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Having played every minute of Ireland's five matches, he awaits his season debut in the URC, where he will soon add to an impressive 127 Connacht caps, with a contract he says "means the world" to him.
Among his honors is a 2016 Pro14 title with Connacht, as well as two Grand Slams with Ireland, having made his debut in 2016.
Boss Wilkins stated his satisfaction when the deal was announced earlier today:
"Bundee has made a huge contribution to Connacht Rugby over the almost 10 years that he has been here.
"He is one of the best players in world rugby and his performances at the Rugby World Cup were further evidence of that, so we are obviously delighted that he has chosen to continue his future with Connacht and Ireland."
