Sale Sharks confirm signing of Manu Tuilagi

David Skippers

Sale Sharks have announced the signing of England and British and Irish Lions centre Manu Tuilagi, who joins the club after leaving Premiership rivals Leicester Tigers.

The powerful 29-year-old has agreed to link up with the Sharks until the end of the 2020/21 campaign in a huge boost to their squad.

Tuilagi has 43 England caps and will join Sale at their Carrington training base on Monday after being released by the Tigers last week.

The Samoan-born centre, who joined the Leicester Tigers Academy at 15, follows in the footsteps of his older brother Andy who spent three seasons at Sale Sharks between 2008 and 2011.

“We contacted Manu’s agent and Leicester Tigers last week to discuss the player’s current position,” said Sale director of rugby Steve Diamond about the process of signing Tuilagi.

“After discussions on Friday, all parties – Leicester Tigers, Manu Tuilagi and Sale Sharks – agreed that the player was a free agent and was able to enter into negotiations with another club.

“Manu will be a fantastic commercial and playing addition to our squad and I am looking forward to seeing him join up with the lads at Carrington this week.”

Former team-mate and coach Geordan Murphy, now director of rugby at Tigers, said: “We’ve seen Manu develop here from a young age and follow his brothers into the first team at Tigers. We had hoped that he would be here for the remainder of his contract but, as we have said all along, everyone has to make their own decisions.

“Manu has been a big part of this club and we thank him for everything he has done for the Tigers and we wish him well for the future.”