Super League side Catalans Dragons have confirmed two major retentions, with a couple of key forwards signing new deals to remain at the club.
First, Off-contract prop forward Romain Navarrete will celebrate his upcoming 100th appearance after signing a new two-year deal, with the former Super League champion tying himself to the Perpignan club until the end of the 2028 season.
Navarrete was one of five Catalans players without deals beyond the end of this season alongside fellow veterans Benjamin Garcia, Chris Satae and Tommy Makinson, however, it’s the 31-year-old Navarrete who has been the first to secure his future with the club.
He does so ahead of what will be a milestone appearance for Les Dracs with Saturday’s game against his former club Wigan Warriors set to be his 100th Super League gane for the French club.
His 99 appearances to date have come across two spells with Navarrete making his professional debut at Catalans in 2016 before leaving for Wigan, where he lifted the Super League crown in 2018 before then signing with London and Toulouse, ahead of his Perpignan return at the start of the 2023 season.
On his new deal, the Frenchman said: “I am very happy to continue this adventure with the Dragons. I would like to thank the fans for their unwavering support week after week. I will give everything I have to help the team win trophies over the next two seasons.”
Silverware is something that had eluded Catalans in recent years, with their 2021 League Leaders Shield and their 2018 Challenge Cup trophies the only pieces of silverware in the cabinet.
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Catalans Dragons enforcer pens new deal
As well as Navarette, the Dragons have also announced that veteran forward Julian Bousquet will stay at the Stade Gilbert Brutus until the end of 2027.
The 34-year-old is the second-most capped player in Catalans’ history, and has made 313 appearances since his debut in 2012.
“I’m very happy to extend my contract for one more season,” Bousquet said on the new contract.
“It’s a great opportunity to support the development of the young players and to share my experience with them.
“I would like to thank Bernard [Guasch], as well as everyone at the club, for their trust and support.”
