Harlequins have confirmed Danny Care’s signature on a new one-year contract that will take his time at The Stoop into a 19th season.
England scrum-half Care has hit some of the form of his lengthy career this term, amid Quins’ run to a first-ever Champions Cup semi-final.
The 37-year-old had weighed up several lucrative offers from France, but in the end opted to stay put at his second home in west London.
Care will keep on adding to his club record 374 Quins appearances – and having now signed one-year extensions for five years in a row, this new deal will not necessarily be his last.
The Yorkshire native has retired from Test duty after ending his England career on 101 caps, and will now put his full focus into further distinguished service for Harlequins.
“It was an easy decision to sign the contact,” said Care. “We have a great group of lads who I love playing with, and we’re building something very special.
“We have the best fans in the world, and I can’t wait to pull on the quarters for another season and run out in front of a packed Stoop.
“This is my home, I love everything about it, the rugby we play, our amazing fans and the memories we have made together.”
Care had been widely tipped to finalise his new deal for some months now, underscoring his impressive longevity.
The Leeds academy graduate joked during the Six Nations that the secret to his enduring youth has been “burgers and cakes”, but his Quins and England coaches talk of a player who always has a smile on his face and is ready for hard graft.
Care made his Leeds debut in 2003, before joining Quins in the summer of 2006, and has stayed put ever since.
Harlequins pushed five-time winners Toulouse all the way but eventually slipped to a 38-26 semi-final loss in last weekend’s Champions Cup clash in France.
Quins now face their last two regular-season matches in a concerted drive for the Premiership play-offs, starting with Saturday’s trip to Exeter.
And with Bristol heading to The Stoop on May 18, the fifth-placed side need victories to push back into the all-important top four.
Care will be front and centre of that charge, as Quins look to add to their titles from 2012 and 2021.
“Danny has been an incredible servant to our club and a true Harlequin, leading from the front with his exceptional professionalism, hard work and determination to succeed,” said rugby director Billy Millard.
“We love having Danny in our squad, he’s a great character and his infectious energy, alongside his experience, means he’s a hugely popular and important member of our Quins DNA.”
