Bruce Reihana signs on to end his career at Northampton

Reihana is close to scoring 1,000 points for the Saints

Northampton Saints winger Bruce Reihana has signed his fourth contract with the club, a deal which will see him end his career at Franklin's Gardens.

The 33-year-old former All Black arrived during the 2002/03 season.

"One of the big reasons I decided to stay was that I've been through thick and thin with the club," Reihana told the Saints website.

"Now we are starting to get to where we should be and I want to be a part of what's ahead of us."

He added: "My decision to stay, and hopefully finish my career here, was because of the environment, the supporters, the team we have now and the direction we're going in."

A two-time Northampton Saints Player of the Season, Reihana is also a former winner of the Premiership Overseas Player of the Year and PRA Players' Player of the Year.

This season his standards of play have been outstanding and he has been one of our most potent strike weapons.

Northampton Saints director of rugby Jim Mallinder

He has scored 986 points in 198 appearances and is in line to become just the fifth Northampton player to score 1,000 points.

Reihana lifted the European Challenge Cup in May 2009, and this season has been part of a successful back three, alongside Ben Foden and Chris Ashton.

"I'm just about old enough for them to be my sons - just about!" Reihana said.

"It certainly inspires me to want to play well when they're at the top of their game. It pushes me harder to help the team.

"The team are playing the type of rugby I like to play."

Director of rugby Jim Mallinder says that Reihana continues to be an important part of the Northampton team.

"Bruce remains one of the squad's leaders and is an excellent professional," said Mallinder.

"This season his standards of play have been outstanding and he has been one of our most potent strike weapons.

"He has also worked hard on every aspect of our game, and his long-range goal kicking turned several games in our favour earlier in the season."

He added: "We have a young and developing squad and having experienced players like Bruce around is a big benefit to us. I'm very happy that he has signed on again with us."