Tigers back row Brett Deacon has committed his future to the club by signing a new contract with Marcelo Loffreda's side.
Leicestershire-raised, Brett came through the academy ranks to join older brother Louis in the club's first-team set up. The 26-year-old made his Tigers debut in 2003 and has since gone on to play 86 games for the club.
Brett, who started the Guinness Premiership match at Bath and was among the replacements for the win over Bristol, played in all three of Tigers' domestic and European finals in 2006/07 and has made 19 appearances so far this season.
"It's my home town club and I've never really wanted to leave," says Deacon. "I spoke to family and friends and they were positive about me resigning.
"Being first choice has been my aim since signing my first professional contract, and that hasn't changed. That hasn't been happening at the moment but, hopefully, I can achieve that with Tigers."
Tigers forwards coach Richard Cockerill believes Brett has a bright future and has welcomed his decision to agree a new deal.
"We're very pleased that Brett has decided to stay with Tigers," says Cockerill. "He's a very hard-working and competitive player and he adds a lot to the squad. Brett played an important role in our success last year and he's done well for us again this season. He's been at Tigers all his career and it's a good sign that we're able to hang on to him."
Although clearly pleased to have signed a new deal, Brett insists his focus remains on Tigers' final Premiership fixtures of the regular season. Newcastle Falcons are the club's next opponents on Sunday, May 4, with Harlequins to follow at Welford Road six days later.
"I'm just concentrating on the next couple of matches," says Deacon. "We've got two massive games coming up and my thoughts are on those games and on nothing else at the moment. I'll only start thinking about next year once the season is over."
Leicestershire-raised, Brett came through the academy ranks to join older brother Louis in the club's first-team set up. The 26-year-old made his Tigers debut in 2003 and has since gone on to play 86 games for the club.
Brett, who started the Guinness Premiership match at Bath and was among the replacements for the win over Bristol, played in all three of Tigers' domestic and European finals in 2006/07 and has made 19 appearances so far this season.
"It's my home town club and I've never really wanted to leave," says Deacon. "I spoke to family and friends and they were positive about me resigning.
"Being first choice has been my aim since signing my first professional contract, and that hasn't changed. That hasn't been happening at the moment but, hopefully, I can achieve that with Tigers."
Tigers forwards coach Richard Cockerill believes Brett has a bright future and has welcomed his decision to agree a new deal.
"We're very pleased that Brett has decided to stay with Tigers," says Cockerill. "He's a very hard-working and competitive player and he adds a lot to the squad. Brett played an important role in our success last year and he's done well for us again this season. He's been at Tigers all his career and it's a good sign that we're able to hang on to him."
Although clearly pleased to have signed a new deal, Brett insists his focus remains on Tigers' final Premiership fixtures of the regular season. Newcastle Falcons are the club's next opponents on Sunday, May 4, with Harlequins to follow at Welford Road six days later.
"I'm just concentrating on the next couple of matches," says Deacon. "We've got two massive games coming up and my thoughts are on those games and on nothing else at the moment. I'll only start thinking about next year once the season is over."
