Northampton Saints can today announce that fullback Tommy Freeman has signed a new contract at Franklin’s Gardens.
The 20-year-old Academy starlet has caught the eye in Black, Green and Gold in recent weeks, stringing together a series of impressive Gallagher Premiership performances that belie his age both at fullback and on the wing.
Freeman signed his first Senior Academy contract ahead of the 2019/20 season, scoring a try against Leinster in preseason before making his Club debut in the Premiership Rugby Cup against Sale Sharks.
He earned a Premiership debut against Bath last August following the league-wide Covid-19 hiatus, but Freeman has really hit his stride since getting an opportunity against Gloucester in January – keeping his place in the side to take his tally of Club appearances to eight, and scoring his maiden Saints try against Bath last month.
“I’m really excited to commit my future to Northampton Saints,” said Freeman. “I am so grateful to Chris Boyd and all the coaches at the Club for giving me this opportunity to develop as a player.
“There’s a clear player pathway at Franklin’s Gardens which you can see from the number of guys progressing from the Academy into the first team, so I know that if I work hard and continue to focus on improving, I will be given my chance to help the group.
“I feel very fortunate to be a part of this squad; we have quality all over the park, but in the back three especially we have a diverse group of lads, so competition to play is really high and I’m excited to try and prove myself in the years ahead.”
1️⃣9️⃣ years old. Already scoring @premrugby tries.
— Northampton Saints 😇 (@SaintsRugby) March 1, 2021
Hopefully the first of many for @TommyFreemo15 🙌 pic.twitter.com/TUJSgJy1l5
Freeman was also called up to England’s Under-20s Elite Player Squad for 2021, but is yet to feature at international level after the Under-20s Six Nations was postponed until June.
Saints’ Director of Rugby, Chris Boyd, added: “Tommy is an exciting young footballer with plenty of potential, and represents yet another player off our Academy production line here at Franklin’s Gardens, so of course we’re very pleased he’s signed a new contract with Saints.
“He’s grabbed his opportunities to play with both hands so far this season, and shown he’s willing and quick to learn, which is really important for a youngster.
“Tommy’s playing with the freedom of youth at the moment and we’re looking forward to seeing how he develops over the coming years.”
