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Bundee Aki. Billy Stickland/INPHO

Bundee Aki signs contract extension with IRFU to keep him at Connacht until 2025

World player of the year nominee has won 52 Ireland caps so far.

BUNDEE AKI HAS signed a new IRFU contract that will see him remain with Connacht until the end of the 2024/25 season.

“Playing in Ireland means the world to me and I am delighted to sign a contract extension with the IRFU and Connacht,” Aki, 33, said. 

“Since moving to Galway nine years ago, Ireland has become a home from home and I am incredibly grateful to my coaches, teammates and supporters for making my family and I so welcome here.

“I believe that there are more great days to come in the green of Connacht and Ireland and I am hugely excited about what the future holds.”

The world player of the year nominee signed for Connacht in 2014 after two years with the Chiefs from New Zealand, where he won a Super Rugby title.

The centre won the Pro12 in 2016 with the province. He made his international debut against South Africa in 2017 and has become a mainstay in the Ireland squad since then, winning his most recent cap during Rugby World Cup 2023 where he displayed impressive form.

In 52 Ireland appearances to date he has scored 15 tries.

In 2021 he became the fourth player from Connacht to play for the British & Irish Lions. In all, he has represented Connacht 127 times.

IRFU high performance director David Nucifora said: “The IRFU is committing to developing and retaining high quality players and we are delighted that Bundee has agreed this contract extension, coming so soon after a string of impressive displays for Ireland at the Rugby World Cup.

“Bundee is a hugely popular player who has given an enormous amount to both Connacht and Irish rugby over a long period of time and we are all thrilled he has committed to this contract extension.”

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    Mute dabuyincojen
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    Dec 19th 2014, 9:35 AM

    If he does live Dortmund. Think Liverpool would suit him. He seems to be able to achieve alot with limited resources and young players. Could be what the pool needs. Don’t want to see Rodgers go but Klopp would be a good replacement. YNWA

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    Mute Mark Lillis
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    Dec 19th 2014, 10:10 AM

    If he was to go to Liverpool and do what he has done at Dortmund, Liverpool would have a few good seasons before becoming a feeder club to teams with more money. They would end up in the relegation zone before he moved on to do the same in Spain or Italy.

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    Mute Derek Mahon
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    Dec 19th 2014, 10:10 AM

    Klopp could do a lot better than us, and that’s coming from a liverpool fan.

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    Mute Paul Mallon
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    Dec 19th 2014, 1:37 PM

    I still think arsenal would be mad to let wenger go. Much harder to win the English league than the German one. I think if arsenal do let wenger go they’ll only realise what they’ve lost afterwards.

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    Mute Harry Redmond
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    Dec 19th 2014, 8:23 PM

    I don’t think Klopp is the right choice for Arsenal and maybe not Liverpool. The reason they’re doing well in the CL and horrifically in the league is because they have one gameplan and domestic opposition and copped onto it. They sit back and hit on the counter to negate Dortmund’s high energy attacks. They’re afforded more time on the ball in the CL and that means they’re doing well but Klopp hasn’t adapted at all with Dortmund, Guardiola has worked out how to adjust his plan for different opponents and completely deserves the continued domination in Germany whereas Dortmund have fallen away.

    I am not at all saying that Klopp is a bad manager, but seeing fans beg for their manager to be sacked and to have him placed as a saviour for any team in need simply isn’t correct.

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