Gloucester issue 13-word statement on Ruan Ackermann rumours
Gloucester Rugby's Ruan Ackermann during a captain's run at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium.
Gloucester Rugby have issued a statement following rumours of Ruan Ackermann’s potential departure from the club.
The back-rower has been linked with a move away from the Cherry and Whites throughout the season and expressed an interest in returning to South Africa.
That prompted reports that the Sharks and his former team the Lions were interested in his services.
Gloucester addresses Ackermann rumours
However, Ackermann looked to have ended speculation in February when Gloucester announced that he had signed a contract extension with the Premiership club.
“There is a little twist, I can’t see myself leaving yet, I want to stay on, so we are staying on,” he said in an interview confirming his extension.
He added: “The players, the staff, the people, the coaches, everyone has been really good to me. It’s basically like a second home, so that’s what makes things, when it comes to a decision, so tough.”
However, recent reports suggest that he could still leave the Cherry and Whites for a mega deal in Japan joining either his father and ex-Gloucester head coach Johan Ackermann at the Urayasu D-Rocks or the Yokohama Canon Eagles, who are believed to be leading the way for his services.
Springbok to join Courtney Lawes in France, Ackerman leaving and another Stormers re-signing
Gloucester has responded to the rumours with a brief statement following a request from Gloucestershire Live, which read: “Gloucester Rugby have reaffirmed that Ruan Ackermann is in contract for next season.”
If Ackermann were to leave the West Country club, his new employers would need to buy him out of his current contract, a situation similar to that of Zach Mercer who attracted interest from French clubs earlier in the season.
Reports at the time stated that Gloucester had put a £1m price tag on buying Mercer out of his deal, which warded off interest, and they would likely take the same stance with Ackermann, who has been a regular starter for the side and has even skippered the team since joining from the Lions in 2017.
Players joining Gloucester
Gloucester are set to welcome Wales internationals Tomos Williams and Gareth Anscombe to Kingsholm ahead of the new season, with Christian Wade also returning to the Premiership after chasing his NFL dream before joining Racing 92.
Meanwhile, Harry Elrington, Santi Socino, Adam McBurney, Adam Hastings, Jonny May and Adam Hearle have all left the side.
READ MORE: Premiership Ins and outs: The complete list of the 2024/25 player transfers
