Leicester Tigers have re-signed former Ireland Under-20s representative Dan Kelly.

The 19-year-old joined Tigers in the summer of 2020 from Loughborough University Students.

Capable of playing in the midfield and outside-backs, Kelly has made eight senior appearances for Tigers since debuting during the recommenced 2019/20 Gallagher Premiership season.

Speaking about the re-signing of Kelly, Leicester Tigers coach Steve Borthwick said: “Dan has been very impressive since arriving at the club in the summer and shown great promise as a player for the future at Leicester Tigers.”

“He is committed to the hard work he has ahead of him to continue to develop as a senior player and, in only a handful of appearances in the team, has impressed us with his tough, physical approach to the game.

“It is a great reward for his efforts and we are excited to have secured Dan for the future, as he represents the qualities and character of players and young men we want as part of the Tigers squad.”

Discussing his decision to re-sign with Tigers, Kelly admitted to it being an “easy” decision to make when the offer to re-commit came his way.

“It was an easy decision for me, to want to keep working and learning from this coaching group and being part of this squad,” said Kelly.

“We are only going to get better, there is great things to come here at the club.

“I feel like each week I keep on improving and the team is improving, collectively, and it’s an environment I want to be a part of here at Tigers.

“There are very good players in the centres like Jaco, Matias, Matt and just to be around them is making me better and it’s such a good place to be and something to be a part of as a player.”

Kelly’s re-signing follows the announcement of James Whitcombe’s re-commitment to the club with a new deal.