Opoku-Fordjour signs new Sharks deal

Sharks and England prop Asher Opoku-Fordjour has committed his future to the club by signing a new long-term contract. 

The 20-year-old powerhouse, who burst onto the domestic and international scene this season, has penned a three-year deal. 

One of England’s brightest front-row prospects, Asher joined Sharks in 2022 after being left without a club following Wasps’ suspension from the Gallagher Premiership. 

He made his first team debut in the Premiership Rugby Cup at the start of the 2023/24 season, before appearing in the Gallagher Premiership for the first time in November 2023. 

Asher established himself in Alex Sanderson’s first team this season, and scored his first Sharks try in the memorable December win against Leicester Tigers. 

On the international scene, Asher’s rise has been just as dramatic. He was part of the England U20s squad for the 2023 U20s World Cup and made his full international debut in the 2024 Autumn International Series against Japan. In January he was named as part of England’s 2025 Six Nations squad. 

Asher said: “This club feels like home and it was an easy decision to stay. I’ve grown in confidence here and there’s a massive opportunity for me to continue to grow and develop my game. 

“I really believe we’ve got the players and the coaches here to achieve anything. We just need to keep working hard, stick together and we’ll get there. 

“This has been a great year for me so far but I need to keep my head down because I know that it can all change. I need to keep working hard, stay humble and we’ll see where we can go.” 

Sharks Director of Rugby Alex Sanderson said: “Asher is incredibly level-headed for a 20-year-old and that maturity comes across on the field in how he performs and handles pressure. 

“He has a tight family unit and he seems really grateful for what he’s got here. But that’s mutual because he’s a very special talent and we love him here. 

“Asher is one of the best prospects in the country and we’re delighted that he sees his future here. We’ve got a good track record of getting young front-rowers into the international set-up and this new contract says a lot about what we’re building and the environment we’re creating. 

“We want this to be just the start of a long relationship with Asher and Sale Sharks.”