Leicester Tigers captain Ollie Chessum has signed a new two-year contract with his boyhood club, reportedly worth £500,000 per season. The 26-year-old lock, who has earned 38 England caps and featured for the British and Irish Lions, said he could not imagine wearing another badge.
Chessum has made 89 appearances for the East Midlands club since emerging from the academy in August 2020. He is in his second season as captain, though his campaign started late due to a foot injury. He scored a try in his season debut against Pau in the European Champions Cup and has since led Leicester to back-to-back Premiership victories over Northampton and Bristol, sending the team to the top of the table.
"For me there was no question," Chessum told BBC Radio Leicester. "I love playing for this club, this has been my club ever since I've known what rugby is about and for me it was as pure and simple as I couldn't see myself with another badge on my chest."
Chessum also discussed his leadership role, comparing it to golf as a skill that is never fully mastered. He emphasized that head coach Geoff Parling reminds him his primary job is to play well, and he feels the current coaching environment drives improvement both as a leader and a player.
