Rising Wales star Mason Grady has turned down big-money offers from a host of English clubs to sign a new contract with Cardiff.
Grady is one of Welsh rugby’s biggest prospects and was the subject of interest from the likes of Bath, Saracens, Exeter Chiefs and Sale Sharks, but has decided to remain in Wales. The 22-year-old’s decision will also come as a huge boost to Warren Gatland, who would have lost the services of the 11-cap centre if he had moved to England because of the controversial 25-cap law.
Grady has been a revelation for Cardiff since bursting onto the professional scene in 2021, making 42 appearances and scoring 10 tries for the Blues & Blacks.
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“I’m really happy to commit my future to Cardiff,” said the 6ft 5ins, 111kg flyer. “This is my home club and I have a lot of good friends here, who have come through the pathway together. It is a young and exciting group of players developing at the club and we have shown glimpses of our potential this season, despite results not going our way.
“I am eager to see how we can develop and grow as a group, while I am really enjoying the environment and playing style under Matt Sherratt. On a personal level, I also believe this is the best place for me to continue my own development.
“I have learnt so much in such a short space of time from the coaches and more experienced players here and I’m now looking forward to taking my game to the next level in Blue and Black.”
Equally adept at centre or on the wing, Grady has established himself as one of the most potent and physical attacking weapons in the game. He has continued his rapid development at the Arms Park and head coach Matt Sherratt believes there is more to come from the 22-year-old.
“Keeping Mason was a really important one for us as a club,” said Sherratt. “As I have said previously, retaining our young and exciting talent was essential and we want to build around this core group. Mason is a key member of this group and has all the raw ingredients to establish himself as a world class player.
“You simply cannot coach the size, power and speed, he naturally possesses. But he has also really developed his game this season, particularly in the centre, and has worked hard with the likes of Rey Lee-Lo and Josh Adams to do that.
“I am looking forward to seeing how far Mason can go in a Cardiff shirt and the challenge for us is to get him involved in the game more often in the right areas.”
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