Contract renewal
Player or staff contract extension.
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Wolff confirms Russell and Antonelli to stay at Mercedes for 2027, ending Verstappen talk
Toto Wolff has shut down lingering speculation over Max Verstappen joining Mercedes, declaring himself "very happy" with George Russell and rookie sensation Kimi Antonelli, who leads the 2026 championship by 50 points.
Formula 1 -
Lucy Packer commits to Harlequins after England's record-extending Six Nations Grand Slam
Red Roses scrum-half Lucy Packer has signed a new deal with Harlequins, securing the 26-year-old's future at the Twickenham Stoop after she started all five matches in England's eighth consecutive Six Nations title win.
Rugby -
King Kazu extends loan deal to play into his sixties in his 42nd professional season
Kazuyoshi Miura, 59, has extended his loan deal with J3 League side Fukushima United until June 2027, ensuring the world's oldest professional footballer will still be playing when he turns 60. The Japanese icon began his career with Santos in Brazil back in 1986.
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Fancy Bermudez re-signs with Loughborough Lightning after 12-try debut season
Canada wing Fancy Bermudez has committed to Loughborough Lightning for the 2026/27 PWR season, citing the club's culture and sense of family after scoring 12 tries in 12 appearances in her first campaign.
Rugby -
Red Roses secure four-year contract framework with RFU after becoming world champions
The RFU and England's Red Roses have agreed a new contract framework running from 2026 to 2030, guaranteeing at least 32 full-time contracts, enhanced pay, and a Women's Rugby World Cup selection bonus.
Rugby -
Black Ferns lock Maia Roos signs two-year extension ahead of Lions Tour
Maiakawanakaulani Roos has committed to New Zealand Rugby for a further two years, securing her place with the Black Ferns and NIB Blues as the historic British and Irish Lions Tour approaches.
Rugby -
Ethan Mbappé set for Lille contract extension, one sticking point remains
LOSC and Ethan Mbappé share the desire to continue together, according to Le Petit Lillois. Negotiations are advanced, but the length of the new contract remains to be settled.
Football -
Courtois rules out Belgium return and targets career finish at Real Madrid
Thibaut Courtois has publicly closed the door on a return to Belgian club football, declaring Real Madrid his final destination. A contract extension to 2028 is understood to be agreed in principle, which would keep him at the club until he is 36.
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Freeman signs Northampton extension to snub Toulouse and protect England career
Tommy Freeman will extend his Northampton Saints contract until 2028, rejecting a lucrative offer from Toulouse that would have cost him his England international career. The winger-centre has scored 22 tries in 25 appearances for club and country this season.
Rugby -
Lampard set to sign new Coventry City deal despite Premier League interest
Frank Lampard is close to committing his future to Coventry City, with contract negotiations at an advanced stage. The 47-year-old guided the Sky Blues to the Championship title last season, scoring 97 goals, and is set to stay despite reported interest from Crystal Palace and Fulham.
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Reds lock in Bloomfield and Blake after breakout Super Rugby seasons earn new deals
Queensland Reds have re-signed props Nick Bloomfield and George Blake following career-best Super Rugby Pacific campaigns in 2026. Bloomfield signs through 2028, while Blake commits for 2027 after making his first starts in three years.
Rugby -
Shaw must accept pay cut from £200k-a-week to secure new Man United deal
Manchester United will only offer Luke Shaw a contract extension if the left-back agrees to a significant wage reduction, with any new deal expected to mirror the one-year terms handed to Harry Maguire earlier this year.
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Baxter refuses to confirm reports of Tom Hooper contract extension ahead of Prem final
Exeter Chiefs head coach Rob Baxter declined to address reports that Wallabies flanker Tom Hooper has signed a one-year extension to remain at Sandy Park until 2028, calling the matter 'not commentable' days before Saturday's Gallagher Premiership final against Northampton Saints.
Rugby -
Matfield warns Leinster: Fail to extend Nienaber and he returns to Springboks for World Cup
Springbok legend Victor Matfield has cautioned Leinster that a failure to extend Jacques Nienaber's contract will see the World Cup-winning coach reunite with Rassie Erasmus ahead of the 2027 Rugby World Cup in Australia.
Rugby -
Highlanders lock in Pledger, Tengblad and Lavanini as re-signing spree reaches eight
The Highlanders have extended contracts with halfback Dylan Pledger on a three-year deal, lock Josh Tengblad on two years, and Argentina veteran Tomas Lavanini for one more season, bringing their total re-signings to eight ahead of 2027.
Rugby -
Rokoduguni signs third season at Doncaster as 39-year-old ex-England wing plays on
Semesa Rokoduguni has signed a new one-year deal with Doncaster Knights, keeping the former England and Bath wing at Castle Park for a third successive season. The Fijian-born Lance Corporal will turn 39 on the eve of the 2026/27 campaign.
Rugby -
Crushed 3-0 by Argentina, Algeria Already Turns Against Petkovic Over Contract Extension Signed Before World Cup
Algeria suffered a heavy 3-0 defeat to Lionel Messi's Argentina in their World Cup 2026 opener in Kansas City, with the Fennecs' contract extension for manager Vladimir Petkovic through 2028—agreed just days before the tournament—now facing fierce criticism from Algerian supporters and media.
Football -
Six La Rochelle teenagers sign new deals after 45-5 quarter-final humbling by Stade Français
Ronan O'Gara's La Rochelle have secured six academy players on new contracts days after a 45-5 Top 14 quarter-final defeat to Stade Français. The group includes 147kg Australian tighthead Visesio Kite and English-qualified prospect Zak Price, both tied down until 2028.
Rugby -
Rüdiger extends Real Madrid stay until 2027 after club rejects longer deal
Antonio Rüdiger has signed a one-year contract extension with Real Madrid, keeping the German centre-back at the Bernabéu until June 2027. The renewal follows a period of uncertainty, with Rüdiger initially pushing for a longer commitment before accepting the club's rolling one-year policy for players over 30.
Football -
Gvardiol signs contract extension to stay at Manchester City until 2031
Joško Gvardiol is set to extend his Manchester City contract until 2031, ending speculation over a summer move to Bayern Munich or Real Madrid. The 24-year-old Croatia defender's renewal hands incoming manager Enzo Maresca a significant defensive boost.
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