Henry Pollock has brought an end to his contract stand-off with Northampton, saying it was ultimately "a very easy decision" to sign an extension with the defending Prem champions.

"I am very, very happy to sign here," Pollock told BBC Radio Northampton.

"I have been here my whole career so it made sense for me to stay on the journey with such a young group of players, who are so ambitious.

"It was a very easy decision in the end."

The 21-year-old, whose profile has exploded over the past two seasons after appearing for England and the British and Irish Lions, had been talked up as a "seven-figure player" during negotiations by his advisor Eddie Hearn.

However, the boxing promoter's valuation was never likely to be met at Northampton or elsewhere in the Prem, given Saints' star-studded line-up, the league's £6.4m squad salary cap and rules over players moving between clubs.

The exact level of Pollock's pay increase is unclear. While some sources have valued his new contract at £400,000 a year, others involved in the deal say the figure is higher.

It is certainly short of Scotland playmaker Finn Russell, who, as Bath's marquee player, is on the league's most lucrative package, worth about £1m a year.

Pollock's pay puts him well ahead of most of his contemporaries in the Prem however.

His new deal is comfortably ahead of the average annual salary in the league (£191,000), the average earned by someone in his 20-22 age bracket (£106,000) and with his level of international experience (£224,000), as revealed by the latest league payroll data, covering the 2024-25 campaign.

Only 4% of Prem players that season were paid in excess of £400,000 a year.

Pollock's previous contract, signed in December 2024, is understood to have been worth about £150,000.

Northampton say his new deal is a "multi-year" agreement that keeps him at the club beyond the expiry of his previous contract in summer 2027.

"I don't create it, my team do," said Pollock of the speculation that has surrounded his future over the past seven weeks.

"It is one of those things that you have to take in your stride, but I am happy it is all done and I can focus on the rugby."

Asked about the possibility of Saints becoming the first side since Saracens in 2019 to successfully defend their English title, Pollock was bullish.

"We have the squad depth and the belief in this group that we can do it," he said.

"Let's see, hopefully we can create some magic along the way. Let's write a new story."

Pollock, who was instrumental in Northampton's run to the title last season, insisted last week that he was still open to offers, raising the possibility of a move abroad or even to another sport.

However, remaining at Northampton, for whom he made his league debut in November 2023, always seemed the most likely option.

After winning an age-grade world title with England's under-20s at the end of that season, Pollock returned to Franklin's Gardens and established himself as a first-team regular.

His pace, energy and on-pitch persona propelled him into the public consciousness and into contention for international honours.

He made his Test debut off the bench against Wales, scoring two tries, in March 2025 and was a bolter pick for the Lions squad only two months later.

His try-scoring feats through Saints' run to the Champions Cup final, complete with pre-planned celebrations, earned him a spot on the eight-strong shortlist for the continental competition's player of the year.

He has appeared in each of England's past 12 Tests, albeit with his only start coming in a 42-21 defeat by Ireland in February.

"Over the last few years, everyone has seen the quality he brings on the pitch and the speed of his rise through the game – but just as importantly, he's a young man of outstanding character," said Northampton's director of rugby Phil Dowson.

"What's most exciting is that there's still so much more to come from him. Henry is incredibly ambitious and constantly looking for ways to improve. He understands that individual success comes from contributing to a successful team, and he's already taken on leadership responsibilities within the squad despite his age.

"People sometimes underestimate how intelligent he is as a rugby player. When we sit down to review performances, he's often identified the same things we were going to discuss before we've even raised them. His understanding of the game is excellent, and that gives him a huge platform to keep progressing.

"He's become an important figure not just for Saints, but for the wider game. He inspires young supporters, brings excitement to rugby, and understands that everything off the pitch is built on performing consistently on it. We're excited to see what he can achieve over the coming years."