Cardiff Rugby are overjoyed to bring star centre Rey Lee-Lo back to the club ahead of the 2023-24 season.
The hugely popular Samoan ace was announced as a departure at the end of last season but has now agreed a new deal to remain at Cardiff Arms Park.
Since arriving in 2015, Lee-Lo has established himself as one the BKT United Rugby Championship’s finest centres and a cult hero at the Arms Park.
He made his 150th appearance for the club earlier this year with an imperious performance, in which he created two tries against Ulster and left the pitch to a standing ovation but he is now delighted to stay for more.
Lee-Lo said: “I’m really happy to be back at Cardiff and it has been great to return to pre-season training with the boys. I have kept myself ticking over and I’m now easing back into things with the team.
“It’s obviously a club that means a lot to me. This place is very much home for me and my family, we are settled and love our life here so it was always my intention to stay.
“Since joining some eight years ago I have been shown such support and loyalty by the club, the late Peter Thomas and the amazing supporters and I’m pleased to have another opportunity to repay that.
“I am very grateful to the man above for the talent I have been blessed with and also my family – especially my parents, wife and kids – who support me every day and allow me to do what I love.
“I can’t wait to run out at Cardiff Arms Park in front of that home support again. The atmosphere on game days is amazing – I want to make more memories here and feel I have a lot to give.
“I have a great relationship with Matt Sherratt and the style of play he wants to utilise really suits me. We want to enjoy ourselves, be positive and play attractive rugby but combine that with physicality and abrasiveness.
“I’m also very aware and excited about the responsibility to help the younger boys come through and develop. There is a lot of potential within the group with talented youngsters, who are very eager to learn and improve.
“Now it is about working hard as a group, enjoying each other’s company and doing everything we can to make our supporters proud on a match day.”
During his eight previous seasons in Blue and Black, Lee-Lo has been a key midfield presence, winning the Peter Thomas Player of the Year award in 2017 and becoming a regular in the URC’s end of season dream teams.
The 37-year-old has also bagged 28 tries and rolled back the years with an impressive 2022-23 campaign.
Cardiff Rugby head coach Matt Sherratt is delighted to sign Lee-Lo and has highlighted the key role he will play at the Arms Park next season.
Sherratt said: “Keeping Rey was really important for us as a club as he has consistently been one of the best centres in the URC for a very long time.
“His understanding and reading of the game is second to none. He is extremely effective with the ball due to his ability to make and create line breaks, and offload, while defensively he is one of the best out there.
“He remains hugely influential within the group and that will be more important than ever with such a young group. Rey will be really important in helping to bring the next generation though.
“He is an excellent professional, who really looks after himself, and he cares enormously about the club. Cardiff is home for Rey and his family so it is great that we have been able to get a deal done.”