'It's definitely home now' - Freeman says staying with Saints was an easy decision

Speaking to this publication earlier this week, the 25-year-old took some time to sum up what being a Saint, and staying a Saint, means to him.

Freeman's contract extension was announced on Wednesday morning, keeping the genuinely world-class winger in Northampton for the foreseeable future.

And having labelled the decision a 'no-brainer', he explained just why it was such an easy decision to remain a member of this special black, green and gold squad.

"With my dad being in the forces, I moved around a lot and then settled down a bit being at boarding school in Suffolk so East Anglia was home, but now having been here for eight years and having been at school round here, I'd say it's definitely home now," said Freeman, who has made 118 appearances for Saints so far.

"To play in front of these fans here, for the coaches and with the players and group we've got and how well we get on, I just think it's the best place to play."

Freeman has already achieved so much during his career, but he will always tell you that he is never satisfied, constantly striving for improvement, as all top players do.

And he admits he doesn't really think too much about the Gallagher PREM titles and England and Lions caps he's already won as he goes in pursuit of more special moments in the season ahead.

"I feel like it changes a little bit and it's hard to fully reflect until you hang your boots up and look at what you've done because there is still more to do and more to achieve," Freeman said.

"I was happy getting one cap for the Saints, then I get 50 and I just want to be hungry for the next thing.

"It's the same with Lions tours and England caps - you just want to keep improving and keep achieving.

"It's difficult to reflect immediately.

"Changing roles, moving a bit to centre, potentially a full-back option as well - they're new challenges, so as much as I'll reflect as a winger, I reflect as a centre as well.

"My body is always changing and adapting and I've put on loads of weight since I started as an Academy kid so each year looks a bit different and you reflect on what you're doing well and what you need to work on based on how your body is coping essentially."

Freeman not only has personal aspirations but he and his team-mates share a goal of making Saints one of the great PREM teams, emulating clubs who have created dynasties, winning a series of titles rather than just one in isolation.

"Dows (Saints boss Phil Dowson) made a clear point at the start of the year on that," said Freeman, who helped Saints to claim PREM glory in 2024 and now 2026.

"Sarries were probably the last ones to do it, Wasps did it before that and Leicester so it's being a part of something really special.

"Dingers (Saints captain Fraser Dingwall) made a good point at the start of this season as well, that we'll always have that history of winning the PREM in the 2025/26 year but this group is a new group.

"Yes, there are boys who have been a part of it (the title win) and will always have that experience there, but there's also boys coming in who can be a part of something special.

"Yes, the club has the trophy but we, as a group, view it that we've got nothing yet, and that keeps us hungry.

"Maybe that was what kind of what let us down the last time we'd won it (in 2024), maybe getting a bit complacent, easing our way into it and thinking we'd just be able to walk it again, whereas now we know that's not the case."

Saints have built a band of brothers, bringing talented youngsters through from the Academy into the first team year after year.

And when asked about that family feel and how much the Saints players all enjoy each other's company, Freeman smiled and said: "It's a good group of lads and it's a credit to the coaches because you see how close Dows, Vesty and the coaching staff are and that only helps for us players to be the same.

"We're on the pitch putting our bodies on the line for each other and that can only bode well on the pitch and off the pitch.

"It's exciting because there's new lads coming in and the coaches make the environment so you can express yourself and be who you want to be - that makes sure everyone gets on well."

Freeman reiterated just how easy all of that has made it to sign on again at Saints.

"It really was pretty easy," he said.

"For my development, with what the coaches have set up here, it's really important for me and I think I'm going to improve as a player here.

"The crowd are unbelievable, there are a few chants going on so I've got to keep the fans happy.

"It's an incredible place to play and it's now home."