Fagerson signs new multi-year deal with Glasgow Warriors

EDINBURGH, SCOTLAND - NOVEMBER 02: Scotland's Zander Fagerson in action during The Famous Grouse Nations Series match between Scotland and Fiji at Scottish Gas Murrayfield, on November 02, 2024, in Edinburgh, Scotland. (Photo by Craig Williamson / SNS Group)

The 28-year-old – who brought up 150 appearances in a Glasgow jersey in the opening match of the 2024/25 campaign away to Ulster – follows in the footsteps of fellow Scotland stars Sione Tuipulotu, Kyle Steyn and Stafford McDowall in pledging his future to the club, as preparations intensify for Glasgow’s biggest-ever night out at Hampden Park this Sunday.

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Having made his debut in a 43-20 win over Benetton in Treviso back in October 2014, the Strathallan School alumnus has since developed into one of the premier front-row operators in the global game.

A cornerstone of the pack that reached the 2019 Guinness PRO14 Final at Celtic Park, Fagerson then wrote his own piece of history by playing all 240 minutes in Glasgow’s run to BKT United Rugby Championship glory in 2023/24 as Smith’s men lifted the trophy in Pretoria.

After impressing in club colours, the tight-head made his Scotland debut at the age of just 20 in the 2016 Guinness Six Nations, becoming the fourth-youngest prop to pull on the dark blue jersey.

He represented his country at both the 2019 and 2023 Rugby World Cups, amassing 70 caps to date and – alongside brother Matt – becoming the 48^th set of siblings to represent Scotland in a Test match.

His consistent excellence for both club and country saw him earn selection for the 2021 British and Irish Lions tour of South Africa, featuring in four matches for the world’s most famous touring outfit.

Speaking at Hampden Park ahead of this weekend’s 1872 Cup opener, Fagerson said: “Weighing up all the options, it was clear very quickly that Glasgow was definitely the standout choice for both for myself and my family.

“I love being part of this group and coming to work with my mates every day. We’re all trying to drive each other forward and make each other better on and off the field. That’s definitely the mantra of this squad, and this is the best place for me to continue my rugby journey.

“We’re a family-driven club, so making sure my wife and my kids were happy was huge for me. They feel just as much a part of this club as I do, so to be sticking around and being part of that environment is really exciting and an opportunity for which I’m truly grateful.

“Once you get that winning feeling, you just want to experience more of it. To have that experience last year with the playoff run and winning the league down in Pretoria alongside some of my best mates and my little brother – it was a dream come true.

“That in turn has really driven how we train this year – we want to go out and win that trophy once more, and be the best version of ourselves both in the league and in Europe. That mindset is only going to serve us well as we move forward and I’m excited to be a part of it.”

Glasgow Warriors Head Coach Smith added: “Zander is a world-class operator in the front-row, and we are extremely pleased to retain a player of his calibre for the coming seasons.

“He is one of the top tight-heads in world rugby, with his quality at the set-piece and dynamism with ball in hand clear for everyone to see.

“Moreover, he is a true family man and a person who embodies what it means to be a Warrior, and we look forward to continuing to work closely with him as we progress on the Glasgow Warriors journey.”