EMILIANO Boffelli, whose current Edinburgh contract expires in the summer, has agreed a new two-year deal with the capital club. The news is not only a big boost to the team’s morale ahead of tomorrow night’s match against Glasgow, it is also a massive fillip for head coach Mike Blair and his plans to get the side competing for trophies.
Boffelli, now 27, was already an established international with Argentina when he signed for Edinburgh in the early autumn of 2021. Since then, however, he has become recognised as a world-class talent, not only as a versatile back-three player capable of menacing any defence, but also as a goalkicker with a very high success rate.
He is understood to have received offers from a number of other clubs, but was in no doubt that he wanted to stay put. “I am very happy to continue with Edinburgh,” Boffelli said in a press release from the team. “It is a club that has helped me smile again and enjoy what I love to do the most, which is playing rugby.
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“From the first day I arrived, my team-mates, coaches, fans and all the people that work at the club made me feel right at home.
“I am really fascinated by the city. Although it is much colder than Rosario, my home Argentine city, I feel that I am getting used to it and finding its charm. Little by little, with my girlfriend, we feel that we are establishing ourselves and enjoying this beautiful city.
“I am really enjoying being part of this team. We have very good players and coaches but, above all, very good people. It’s a privilege to play forEdinburgh. I think that I have quickly established myself here and become part of the group.
“Ultimately, I’ve chosen to stay because, despite having other interesting options, I feel that this is the club where I want to be and where they’ll help me improve every day to become a better player, and more importantly, a better person.”
Blair said: “We’re absolutely delighted to retain the services of Emiliano. He’s a world- class player who is clearly loving his rugby right now.
“Boff has been incredible on the pitch since joining us last season while he’s also a hugely popular member of the squad who commands respect throughout the changing room because of his commitment to the jersey.
“Boff loves being part of this club and squad and that’s clearly been a huge factor in his decision to re-sign. He would have had his fair share of suitors given his form so it’s a real vote of confidence that he’s committed his future to the team.”
Douglas Struth, Edinburgh’s managing director, said: “This is a really significant re-signing for the club and a huge amount of work has gone in across the board to structure this deal.
“Emiliano would have undoubtedly had a number of high-profile options elsewhere but the fact that a truly world class and ambitious player is so happy to stay with Edinburgh Rugby long-term is testament to the positive direction that the club continues to move in.
“I’m sure, like all of us at the club, our supporters will be delighted with this news as we head into tomorrow night’s decisive 1872 Cup derby.”
Polling opens for The Offside Line’s 2022 Game Of The Year vote