Ligi Sao has signed a new deal at Hull FC.
Hull FC’s Ligi Sao in pre-season training. (Image: Hull FC)
Ligi Sao can’t wait to get back playing for Hull FC next year and repay the faith shown in him by the club. The prop forward suffered a season-ending knee injury back in February but has got stuck into his rehab ever since and will now return to pre-season training this autumn.
As exclusively reported by Hull Live this Tuesday morning, Sao has signed a new deal at the club, taking his stay at Hull into a seventh season. He will take the quota spot vacated by Jordan Rapana, with the Kiwi last week confirming his retirement at the season’s end.
Penning a new one-year contract, Sao, who became a Hull centurion last year and has 104 appearances to his name, will now run alongside a pack containing the likes of Herman Ese’ese, Liam Knight, Sam Lisone, and Harvey Hill, with the ability to also double up in the back row if required.
The 32-year-old, who turns 33 next month, signed for Hull from NRL outfit New Zealand Warriors ahead of the 2020 season, having played over 50 times in rugby league’s most prestigious competition. He is the 13th player to sign an extension with the club this year.
Speaking on his new deal, Sao said: “I’m grateful to Hull FC for the opportunity to represent this great club for another year in 2026. I’m also eternally grateful to all of the medical and backroom staff for the support they have given me on my rehab journey this year.
“My team mates, Carty [John Cartwright], and all of the coaching staff have stood by me all the way and I can’t wait to get back out there with the troops in 2026.”
Meanwhile, Sao’s character and professionalism throughout his rehab process, plus his determination to get back to full fitness, have been considered as key factors behind the club’s decision to retain the player – who was deregistered after rupturing his patella tendon.
On that attitude, Hull Director of Rugby, Gareth Ellis, added: “We’re absolutely delighted to retain Ligi’s services for another year – a player who totally understands the club and what it means to represent Hull FC.
“2025 hasn’t panned out the way Ligi wanted it to, but I have seen firsthand his desire and determination to return to full fitness, bigger, better and stronger – and on that basis I believe he will be a key asset in our pack next season.
“Beyond all of that, Ligi is an exceptional character off the field. He has conducted himself with immense professionalism this year, often offering his support to other members of the squad, and we’re all very much looking forward to his return to action in 2026.”