New Saints prop Zigiriadis: There is no bigger club in England than Northampton
New Saints prop Leftheri Zigiriadis says there is 'no bigger club in England than Northampton' as he bids to achieve his goals.
South African-born Zigiriadis will take the next step in his career when he joins the black, green and gold ahead of next season.
It will give the loosehead prop the chance to test himself in the Gallagher PREM for the first time.
And Zigiriadis said: “I came to the UK from South Africa with one clear goal in mind: to play rugby at the highest level. For me, there is no bigger club in England than Northampton to help me achieve that.
“The quality of the coaches here, the facilities, and the overall environment give me the perfect opportunity to put my best foot forward and keep developing as a player.
“Northampton have arguably the best group of props in the PREM, and I’m really excited to be around players like that every day.
"If you want to play at the top level, you have to learn from the best, and as a developing prop you honestly couldn’t ask for a better environment."
Born in Pretoria, Zigiriadis attended Waterkloof Primary and Hilton College in South Africa before moving to the UK to join the Trailfinders Rugby Academy.
He spent three years within Ealing’s system while studying Economics and Accounting at Brunel University, later completing a Masters in Banking and Finance.
The loosehead flourished in the university environment, playing a key role in Brunel’s run to the BUCS play-offs and earning the players’ player of the year award for the Men’s Academy at Trailfinders in 2023.
Zigiriadis made his senior debut for Ealing in March 2023 in a 50-12 victory over Cornish Pirates, before spending the 2023/24 campaign on loan in Cornwall.
He featured 19 times across the CHAMP and PREM Rugby Cup for Pirates, winning the club’s player of the year award, before returning to Trailfinders last term.
The prop enjoyed his most productive season in an Ealing shirt to date in 2024/25, making 22 appearances.
Seven outings this season have taken his overall tally for Trailfinders to 30 appearances.
And he has experience of playing at cinch Stadium at Franklin's Gardens as he scored a try against Saints for Ealing in a PREM Rugby Cup quarter-final last season.
“My last experience at cinch Stadium at Franklin’s Gardens really stayed with me," Zigiriadis said. "When I played here last season, the atmosphere, the noise from the supporters, and the feeling around the stadium made a big impression on me.
"We also came back in pre-season for a training day, and being around the club again really sparked something and made me want it even more.
“I’ll always be grateful to Ealing for the opportunity they gave me, both academically and professionally. Without them, none of this would have been possible, and I’m fully focused on helping them finish top of the CHAMP this season.
“But I’m hugely excited about the challenge of the Gallagher PREM and can’t wait to get started next season.”