Tonga centre Kata extends Leicester stay

Solomone Kata scored a try in Leicester's Champions Cup win against Sharks

Tonga international Solomone Kata has extended his stay with Leicester Tigers.

The 30-year-old dual-code international has made 25 appearances for the East Midlands side since arriving for last season.

Kata joined the Tigers after a short stint with Premiership rivals Exeter, having previously played for Super Rugby sides ACT Brumbies and Moana Pasifika after forging a professional career in rugby league with NRL side New Zealand Warriors.

"I think my best days as a player are ahead of me and I'll always give my all for the fans and for my team-mates while I'm here," Kata told the club website.

Kata, a versatile back who has established himself at centre with Tigers, has featured seven times so far under Michael Cheika this season, scoring three tries to take his overall club tally to seven.

"Sol is a big talent and also a big character inside the squad," Cheika said.

"We really welcome his decision to stay with the club as I know he is a player in demand."

Kata is the third Tigers player in as many days to sign a new deal with the club, following England lock Ollie Chessum and Scotland prop Will Hurd.