Former Wests Tigers forward and Italian national team player Brenden Santi has inked a fresh contract for the 2024 season, extending his rugby league career.
Santi, who is 30 years old, will reunite with the York Knights in the upcoming season. He initially joined the Knights on a short-term deal in June. The York Knights compete in the Betfred Championship, which is the second tier of the English Super League.
Having represented Italy in the last three Rugby League World Cups, Santi has a noteworthy rugby background. He was not only the captain of the Australian Schoolboys but also a former NRL forward who participated in 11 games for the Wests Tigers between 2014 and 2015. While he spent time in the Canterbury Bulldogs junior system and briefly with the Parramatta Eels in 2014, he didn’t make any NRL first-grade appearances for either team.
Santi’s rugby journey also includes stints with the Townsville Blackhawks in the QLD Cup, Toulouse Olympique in France, Newcastle Thunder, and the Keighley Cougars.
Expressing his enthusiasm for the upcoming season, Santi stated on the club’s website, “I’m really excited for 2024 and I’m delighted to have signed a new deal here with the Club. Since coming here from Keighley, it’s felt like home straightaway, coming into a group with a great bunch of lads. I’ve really enjoyed my time here so far, and we had some real momentum behind us at the back end of last season to reach the Play-Offs. Everything that York is about is really exciting for me, and I think that we’ve got some unfinished business still following the Play-Offs last year. Hopefully, we can go one step further in 2024.”
York Knights head coach Andrew Henderson expressed his satisfaction with Santi’s commitment to the club and their aspirations for the 2024 season. Henderson said, “I’m really pleased to have secured Brenden’s services for the 2024 season and being able to see him continue his journey with the York Knights. I did not hesitate in bringing Brenden in when he became available midway through last season, having worked with him before and knowing the type of person and player he is. Brenden acquitted himself really well after joining the Club and added real value to our forward pack and made a difference for us at the right time of the season. Brenden is another player that wants to be part of our journey and continue to help us grow as part of our Betfred Super League aspirations.”
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