Emmanuel Iyogun has penned a new deal to remain at Northampton Saints, the Club can today announce.
After working his way through Saints’ Academy system, Iyogun signed on full-time with Northampton ahead of the 2019/20 campaign, and became Saint #2029 later that season as he came off the bench against Leicester Tigers in the Gallagher Premiership.
Now a regular starter for the men in Black, Green and Gold, the 24-year-old prop has racked up 65 appearances for Saints so far, scoring two tries along the way.
“It means so much to me to be staying on with my hometown Club,” he said. “Northampton Saints isn’t just a team to me; it’s my family, my community, and a place where I’ve grown both as a player and a person.
“This Club has been a constant source of support through some of my most challenging times in my life, whether that has been on or off the field. The unwavering belief and encouragement from everyone at Saints has been exceptional – from coaches, staff members, the players around me and our incredible supporters. This Club is nothing short of remarkable.
“It’s truly a privilege to wear this jersey and what excites me the most about the next chapter is being a part of the group we have here, alongside some of the most talented young players and innovative coaches in the game.
“The energy and passion that everyone brings to every training session and every game is completely contagious, so I love being in this environment.”
Emmanuel Iyogun
“Being a part of this group, as we push each other to challenge ourselves and achieve more, is really special. Together, I believe we’ve got something extraordinary in the making; the potential of this team is limitless, and I can’t wait to see what heights we can reach.
“Finally, a big thank you to everyone who’s helped me and the team so far. The journey ahead is one I’m embracing with everything I have, and I’m committed to doing whatever it takes to help this Club achieve what I know we’re capable of.”
Iyogun established himself in Black, Green and Gold quickly, playing two years above his age group when he made his Under-18s debut for Saints in 2017 – before transitioning from the back row to prop.
From there, the young loosehead has gone from strength to strength and earned international recognition in 2019, featuring for England Under-20s throughout their Six Nations campaign that year.
Iyogun was thrown in at the deep end in his first season in Saints’ Senior Academy, as a series of front-row injuries saw him make his senior debut in 2020 aged just 19-years-old; but the prop’s resilience shone through despite his age and earned him a place in the starting line-up the following weekend for Saints’ Heineken Champions Cup quarter-final against Exeter Chiefs.
Those stand-out efforts would earn Iyogun the Club’s Breakthrough Player of the Season award at the close of the 2019/20 campaign, before he gained Championship experience on dual registration with Bedford Blues the following season.
Iyogun featured in 20 matches for Saints in 2021/22, adding 13 and then 15 more appearances to his tally across the following two seasons – including playing in both the Gallagher Premiership Final and Investec Champions Cup semi-final last year.
His performances throughout Saints’ run to the Premiership title earned Iyogun a call-up to England’s squad that toured New Zealand over the summer; and though injury has kept the prop out of Saints’ recent matches, he has already made 12 appearances in Black, Green and Gold this season and was included in the England A side that faced Australia A in November.
Saints’ Director of Rugby, Phil Dowson, said: “We’re thrilled to keep Manny at the Club. It feels like he has been around the place for ages, but at 24 he’s still so young – especially for a prop – and still has so much he can achieve.
“We want to keep pushing him on the journey he’s on. It’s not easy to make the switch into the front row, but with Manny you’d think he’s been playing there his whole life, which speaks volumes about him as a person.”
Phil Dowson, Director of Rugby
“We talk all the time about our pathway system, and usually it takes longer for players in the tight five to learn the tough lessons they need to, and then make the jump into the first team.
“But he took to top-level rugby like a duck to water from his debut in 2020, and the fact he’s still so young with so much potential makes him a very exciting person for us to have in our group.
“Manny’s athleticism means he is strong and powerful for his set-piece work, but his skill level and desire to carry the ball is another point of difference for him. There have been several games across the Premiership and the top table of Europe which stick in my mind where he couldn’t wait to put his hand up to carry the ball, and was dominant in every set piece.
“He’s always looking to get better, as all our players are, and striving for consistency from week to week. He’s already on England’s radar, going on tour to New Zealand in the summer, and that has whet the appetite for him to do that more often – this injury came at an unfortunate time for him, but I am sure he’ll have opportunities moving forward to represent his country.”
