Leicester Tigers have re-signed England and British & Irish Lions international Dan Cole.

The 33-year-old has made 253 senior appearances for the club since debuting in 2007 after graduating from the Tigers Academy.

Cole has made 98 Test appearances, including 95 for England, and averaged more than 20 games per season for Leicester since his first full season in the senior team.

Speaking about the re-signing of Cole, Leicester Tigers head coach Steve Borthwick said: “Dan’s passion for the club and his commitment to the badge for a decade and a half is unrivalled.”

“He has been an integral member of the Tigers pack for almost fifteen seasons and continues to set the standard every day with his work ethic and professionalism.

“Dan is a smart, tough and aggressive player who will continue to play an important role in this next chapter at Leicester Tigers, which I am very excited about with this news of his re-signing.”

Discussing his decision to re-sign, Cole said: “It was an easy decision for me, Leicester Tigers is my club and I want to be a part of what is being built here at the club under Steve.”

“We have got a great group of players, with a good mix of us more experienced guys and really exciting youngsters making their way in the game, as well as players from all over the world who have bought in to what we are about at Tigers.

“I am very proud of what I have achieved in a Leicester Tigers shirt and confident that there is much more to come from this group on this journey.”

The announcement of Cole’s re-signing follows confirmation of re-commitments from youngsters James Whitcombe, Dan Kelly and Ollie Chessum as well as fellow international Nemani Nadolo and Jasper Wiese.