Leicester Tigers Secure Contract Extension for Solomone Kata

Tonga international Solomone Kata has extended his tenure with Leicester Tigers, having recently scored a try in the club’s Champions Cup victory against Sharks. The 30-year-old dual-code international has accumulated 25 appearances for the East Midlands club since joining them for the previous season. Kata’s arrival at the Tigers followed a brief period with Premiership competitor Exeter. His career also includes stints with Super Rugby teams ACT Brumbies and Moana Pasifika, building on a professional rugby league foundation with the NRL’s New Zealand Warriors. Kata conveyed to the club’s website, “I think my best days as a player are ahead of me and I’ll always give my all for the fans and for my team-mates while I’m here.” A versatile back who has solidified his position at centre for the Tigers, Kata has played in seven matches this season under Michael Cheika, contributing three tries. This brings his total try count for the club to seven. Cheika commented, “Sol is a big talent and also a big character inside the squad.” He added, “We really welcome his decision to stay with the club as I know he is a player in demand.” Kata’s new agreement marks the third such signing for the Tigers in a short period, following similar contract extensions for England lock Ollie Chessum and Scotland prop Will Hurd.