CAMERON Neild has signed a new long-term deal to remain at Sale Sharks while the club has announced that three players are to leave the AJ Bell Stadium.

The home-grown forward is highly rated by Sale director of rugby Alex Sanderson and his coaching staff having been with the club since joining the Sharks academy in 2013.

But as the hooker-turned flanker looks forward to extending his stay at Sale, Will-Griff John and fellow props Jake Cooper-Woolley and Valery Morozov will all leave the club this summer.

Altrincham-born Neild, 26, has made more than 120 appearances for the club and was named man-of-the-match in the recent Premiership game against Harlequins who won the title last weekend.

“Sale Sharks is my boyhood club and so it was an easy decision for me to re-sign,” said the former England under-20 international who made his first team debut in 2014.

“I love turning up at Carrington every day. It’s only a short drive from home and it’s close to my family and friends. In terms of lifestyle it’s brilliant.

“I get to coach my old club, Altrincham Kersal, which I have a real passion for. I get to coach my friends which I absolutely love.

“I can’t speak highly enough of what’s happening on the pitch here since Alex has come in. The success that we’ve had as a team and I’ve had as a individual has been fantastic and I can’t wait to keep pushing next season and beyond.

“So it was a very easy decision. It’s an exciting place to be and I want to be a part of what we’re building.”

The Sharks, who finished third in the Premiership table but lost to Exeter in the play-offs, have retained the majority of their playing squad ahead of the 2021/22 season.

It had already been announced that John was leaving to join the Scarlets with Cooper-Woolley and Russian international Morozov also departing.

Sanderson paid tribute to the departing players. He said: “These three lads have played a huge role in what we’ve achieved this season, both on and off the pitch, so I want to thank them on behalf of everyone at the club.

“Will-Griff, Valery and Jake probably haven’t always played as much as they would have liked but they’ve given everything in training and on the pitch, whenever they’ve been called upon.

“They’re really good players but more importantly, they’re good people and they’ve become good friends. We wish them all the very best with their careers going forward.”