St Albans' own rugby superstar has signed a new long-term deal to stay with Premiership champions Saracens.

Nick Isiekwe signed a professional deal with the north London side, who train out of Old Albanian's home at Woollams, back in 2016.

He made his senior debut at just 18-year-old and has since gone on to make 133 appearances for the Men in Black as well as collecting 11 caps for England, the first when he was still a teenager.

His time at the club has yielded three Premiership titles, the latest in June of this year, and one European Champions Cup after a bruising encounter with Leinster in Newcastle.

On top of all that, in September 2022, he is believed to be the first elite athlete in the world to undergo and come through open heart surgery for a dilated aorta, a revolutionary procedure allowing him to continue in his career and get him back playing within months.

And the next step of his career will remain with the champions.

Isiekwe said: "This team took a chance on me at 13 years old and I am truly blessed to be able to call it my home for the future years to come.

"It’s a blessing to be able to do what we love and to do it with a team that you love is amazing so long may it continue."

His director of rugby, Mark McCall, is also delighted to see the back row forward, who can also play at lock, sign a new long-term deal.

He said: "Nick is hugely respected by everyone at the club and his resilience and courage to return from heart surgery was truly inspiring.

"He has a deep connection to the club and we are thrilled he has committed his future here."