Grant Gilchrist signs new Edinburgh deal

Edinburgh centurion and Scotland international second-row Grant Gilchrist has put pen to paper on a three-year contract extension, keeping him in the capital until at least 2022.

Gilchrist, 28, made his first senior appearance for the club in a 34-13 win over Cardiff Blues in September 2011 and has since gone on to make 129 appearances in an Edinburgh shirt.

The Lornshill academy product – who last season became the capital side’s 27th club centurion – has been a permanent fixture in Edinburgh’s starting XV since breaking into the team as 21-year-old and in 2016 was named as the club’s co-captain alongside Stuart McInally.

Gilchrist made his Heineken Champions Cup debut in the away victory over London Irish in 2011 and played a key role as Edinburgh became the first Scottish side to reach the semi-final stages of Europe’s premier club competition.

On extending his stay in the capital, Gilchrist said: “I’m delighted to commit to Edinburgh for another three years.

“I love the club and the direction we are going in together. I believe if we keep developing and working hard we can do something really special in the next few years and I’m very excited to be part of that future.”

On Gilchrist committing his future to the club, head coach Richard Cockerill added: “We’re really happy that Gilco has extended his stay with the club.

“He’s a focal point of our team and has shown tremendous leadership ability both on and off the pitch. He’s a quality international player and we’re delighted that he has chosen to be a part of what we’re building here at Edinburgh.”