Chile captain Martin Sigren signs with The New England Free Jacks

The New England Free Jacks are proud to welcome Chilean men’s national team captain Martín Sigren to New England and Major League Rugby (MLR). The abrasive blindside flanker stands 6’2” and will slot right into the Free Jacks championship line-up. 

Sigren made his debut for the Chilean National Team in 2016 and has since become a mainstay in the side, earning 31 international caps to date. Taking over captaincy duties in 2020, Sigren succeeded in leading the galvanized Los Cóndores underdogs (Chile) to their first Rugby World Cup (RWC) qualification in July of 2022. The 27-year-old made his presence known during his maiden RWC in France this year, starting in all 4 games and displaying his dogged work rate, making 52 tackles in total.

“Martín joins us from the Chilean national team having also played as a regular starter for Doncaster in the Championship last season,” said Head Coach, Scott Mathie. “He has shown great leadership with his country which is something we value here at the Free Jacks. He is a very physical and hardworking player who contributes massively on both sides of the collision, as well as with his aerial presence at the lineout. We look forward to bringing him to Quincy and I’m sure the Free Jack faithful will identify with his gritty traits.”

Sigren signed with English Championship side Doncaster Knights for a season prior to the 2023 RWC. In doing so, he became the first Chilean to play professional rugby in England and made 24 appearances in England’s tough second-tier competition, following in the footsteps of fellow Free Jacks back row, Wian Conradie.

Prior, Sigren had been a standout and captain of the Selknam (Chilean based professional team) in the Super Rugby America’s competition. Martín guided Selknam to the semi-finals in 2021, and one step further in 2022, reaching the final where they lost to Uruguayan side Peñarol. At the end of the 2022 season, Sigren was named in the 2022 Super Rugby America’s team of the year.

“I love the challenge of stepping out of my comfort zone and continuing to grow as a person and a player. I plan on becoming an integral part of this team,” Martín quoted on heading to New England. When you come to find out that Martín is the 4th of 5 Sigren brothers (all are back rows, just like their father Raul, who won two caps for Chile back in the 80’s) it is no surprise that he is such a dependable team-mate and leader. Look for Martín’s ability to bring people together and lead from the front this year in Quincy, Massachusetts.

The Major League Rugby season will kick off in March 2024.