Edinburgh lock Fraser McKenzie signs new contract

Edinburgh lock Fraser McKenzie has signed a new deal which will see him remain with the club until May 2019.

The Dunfermline-born Scotland A international, who turned 28 earlier this week, started his professional career at the capital club in 2008 on graduating from Scottish Rugby's national academy.

He joined Sale Sharks in 2011 before moving on to Newcastle Falcons and made 41 Premiership appearances before returning to the Scottish capital.

Edinburgh head coach Alan Solomons said: "It is great to see Fraz make a long-term commitment to the club.

"Since coming back from Newcastle he has become an integral part of the team and has made a huge contribution to its development.

"He is a real team man and a pleasure to coach. I look forward to continuing working with him."

McKenzie said: "Solly [Solomons] and the coaches have shown faith in me and I'm delighted to be staying.

"When I left the first time, things at the club were a bit unsettled but since then Solly's stabilised the ship, has good coaches around him, I'm happy being back here and it's great to see Edinburgh heading in the right direction.

"We have a really good close-knit bunch of guys here. You class them all as friends. That's one of the real strengths of this club and another reason I wanted to stay.

"I still class myself a relatively young player with plenty of opportunity for progression and I want to kick on from here."