Leicester Tigers confirm Ford’s return

Editor

Leicester Tigers have completed the signing of George Ford from Bath for the start of the 2017/18 season, with Freddie Burns heading the other way.

Ford graduated from the Tigers academy to make his first-team debut as a 16-year-old in November 2009 and went on to make 41 first-team appearances and share in Anglo-Welsh Cup and Premiership title wins with the club before joining Bath in the summer of 2013.

He has since established himself at the core of a successful England squad, winning his 32nd cap in the Six Nations win over Wales last weekend, and has played a prominent part at club level with Bath including in their run to the European Challenge Cup Final in 2014 and Premiership Final a year later.

Ford, 23, will team up with England colleagues Ben Youngs and Dan Cole as well as squad members Ellis Genge and Mike Williams, on his return to Welford Road.

Tigers head coach Aaron Mauger said: “We are absolutely delighted to be able to confirm the signing of George Ford, a player we obviously know well from his time here in the academy and as a young man making the breakthrough into senior rugby.

“He has become one of the leading players in his position in Europe and is still a young man with a lot of rugby ahead him. We look forward to his return to Welford Road in the summer.”