I'm a Rabbitohs man - Burgess to end career with South Sydney after extension

Sam Burgess has signed a four-year contract extension to remain with South Sydney Rabbitohs until the end of 2023.

England international Burgess joined South Sydney from Bradford Bulls in 2009 and helped them win a first NRL title since 1971 in 2014 when they beat Canterbury Bulldogs in the Grand Final.

He left for a brief and unsuccessful spell in rugby union with Bath and England but returned to the Bunnies in 2016.

The forward has made 160 NRL appearances for the Rabbitohs and intends to end his career with the club.

"I'm a Rabbitohs man. It's as simple as that," Burgess said. "The club aligns with everything I'm about and my values, so it was an easy decision for me to extend my contract out to the end of my career.

"We spent a bit of time working out the contract as it is my last one, but Souths have always shown faith in me and I feel like I can repay that faith over the remaining years I have on the field.

"I wasn't interested in the player market or anything like that.

"I'm interested in leaving behind a legacy, being a small part of the fantastic history of this great club.

"Players like John Sattler, Bob McCarthy, Ron Coote and Clive Churchill – they're all remembered at this club for what they have done. I love the history and I want to leave my mark as well.

"No one is bigger than the club and as a South Sydney player, you have a connection to those players of the past.

"My first-grade player number is 1073 and that means a lot to me. I can't tell you how much that number means to me.

"It's a special club and I'm so proud to be part of it."

South Sydney also announced one-year extensions for Tevita 'Junior' Tatola, Mark Nicholls and Jacob Gagan. In addition, they have signed prop Kurt Dillon from Cronulla Sharks for two seasons and utility player Bailey Sironen for the 2019 campaign.

The Rabbitohs finished third in the table this season, the top four all ending the campaign on 34 points. They will face Melbourne Storm in the first round of the Finals on Friday but will have another chance in the semi-finals should they suffer defeat.