Two Burgess brothers down, one to go.
South Sydney on Wednesday announced a four-year contract extension for star prop Tom Burgess, keeping him at the club until the end of the 2023 NRL season.
Tied up: Souths have locked Tom Burgess down for another four seasons at Redfern.Credit:NRL Photos
The England international's new deal surpasses the length of elder brother Sam, who re-signed with the club until the end of the 2022 season in September.
It also now leaves twin brother George, who reportedly rejected an offer to join Parramatta this year, as the only sibling at the club without a deal for next year.
"Souths is all I've known and I'm really pumped to be signed up long term now," Burgess said on Wednesday.
Due to come off-contract at the end of the year, the 26-year-old Burgess was widely considered one of the top free agent props on the market.
However the Rabbitohs moved quickly to tie down their starting front-rower for a fourth season since he arrived on a one-year deal in 2013.
He has since gone on to win a premiership with the club in 2014, and represent England – coached by current Rabbitohs mentor Wayne Bennett – 25 times.
"The club gave me a chance when I came to Australia for the first time, a 20-year-old young lad, not knowing what to expect," Burgess said.
"Now six or seven years down the track, I'm still enjoying my best football here.
"I love calling Sydney home and I wouldn't want to play anywhere else in the NRL than with the Rabbitohs."
The signing comes one week after captain Greg Inglis announced he would retire at the end of the 2020 NRL season, freeing up major cap space for the club.
Rabbitohs boss Shane Richardson insists Burgess' best football is ahead of him.
"He is a big body in the middle for us, he has worked hard on his attack and equally so on his defence in recent seasons," Richardson said.
"He is also a great character to have around the team and a positive influence on the younger players in the squad."
AAP
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