Olowofela becomes 14th player to leave Welford Road
WINGER Jordan Olowofela has become the 14th player to leave Leicester Tigers so far this year, writes Bobby Bridge.
The 24-year-old has, with immediate effect, joined Nottingham Rugby, a club Tigers signed a formal Performance Partnership with last season.
Olowofela, right, who was photographed at a Nottingham open training session on Saturday, made 41 senior appearances for Tigers.
But his game time in recent years has come on loan at Australian Super Rugby side the Western Force and at Welsh club, Dragons Rugby.
Tigers head coach Steve Borthwick thanked Olowofela for his contribution to the club.
“He was a part of the foundation period in this journey we are on as a club and I am grateful for what he has given, on and off the field, to Tigers,” said Borthwick.
“We are fortunate to have a wonderful working relationship with a club like Nottingham, headed up by Craig Hammond, and am looking forward to seeing him continue his development at the club.”
Before the end of the 2021/22 season, Tigers said goodbye to Kobus van Wyk in March and Dan Lancaster in May as agreements were reached for their early departures. They subsequently joined Zebre and Ealing Trailfinders respectively. George Ford and Ellis Genge’s high-profile summer departures to Sale Sharks and Bristol Bears had long since been announced by then. Following the Premiership final win over Saracens, Tigers revealed a leavers list that included the names of Jonny Law, Matias
Moroni, Juan Pablo Socino, Tomiwa Agbongbon, Olly Robinson (returned to Cardiff), Jack Rowntree, Jaco Taute, Marco van Staden, and Sam Aspland-Robinson.
Academy scrum-half Law is joining Jersey Reds, Moroni is teaming up with Newcastle Falcons, Taute has retired and AsplandRobinson is moving to Rosslyn Park.
Flanker van Staden, who made eight Tigers appearances, was released, allowing the Springboks ace to “return to South Africa to continue his injury rehabilitation”.
The 27-year-old did not feature again after suffering a head injury against Bristol Bears on Boxing Day.
He was present at Twickenham Stadium for the Premiership final ahead of the announcement and this week shared a social media post that indicated he was on the right track for a return to action.
He wrote on Instagram: “A season I will never forget!
“It was an honour to be part of Tigers and I’m grateful for the time we had even though it was short!
“I believe everything happens for a reason and trust in God’s plan.
“I want to thank each and everyone we have met in our time at Tigers and all the people that have made it unforgettable!
“On to the next chapter we go, can’t wait to get back on the field!”
So far, Tigers’ confirmed new arrivals are Jimmy Gopperth (Wasps), Anthony Watson (Bath), James Cronin (Biarritz), Phil Cokanasiga and Olly Cracknell (both London Irish) and Handre Pollard (Montpellier).