Bristol Bears confirm the signing of Ellis Genge

December 16, 2021
2418
Ultimate Rugby

The Bristol Bears have confirmed the return of Ellis Genge ahead of the 2022/23 season.

Having confirmed his departure from Leicester Tigers last week, Genge has put pen to paper on deal with Bristol Bears returning to his boyhood club.

A product of Bristol’s Academy, 26-year-old Genge made 28 outings before departing for Leicester Tigers in 2016.

Welcome 𝗵𝗼𝗺𝗲 💙 pic.twitter.com/agwLKl25b3
— Bristol Bears (@BristolBears) December 16, 2021

Commenting on the signing of Genge from the Tigers, Director of Rugby Pat Lam revealed that the loosehead prop 'has taken a significant pay cut to come back home' and sung the praises of his new signing.

“Ellis is a World Class player who has grown to be a leader on and off the field for club and country. He obviously will add real value to us as a team and the whole Bristol Bears community.

“The thing that impressed me most about Ellis was his genuine love for Bristol and our people. Even while at Tigers, he remained invested in the community here running rugby coaching camps for underprivileged young people from all backgrounds.

“The fact that Ellis has taken a significant pay cut to come back home emphasises his commitment to his family and wanting to inspire our Bristol Community, which is central to our Bears vision.”

Club captain at table-topping Tigers, Genge has made 97 appearances at Welford Road, while also earning 31 international caps, gaining a feared reputation as one of the best young looseheads in world rugby.

Genge expressed his pride in being Bristolian and paid tribute to the Tigers.

He said: “I’m so proud of my roots in Bristol and what the city means to me and my family. I have close relationships at the Bears and I’ve got unfinished business here – so it’s important for me to be able to come back and represent Bristol and play my role in the community.

“I want to pay tribute to Leicester Tigers and everybody who made my time there so special. It’s an unbelievable club and I have grown as a player and a person, I cannot express how grateful I am to all my teammates, coaches and fans at Welford Road.”