Longbottom to return to the Force

After four seasons playing for Saracens and Sale Sharks in the UK, Kieran Longbottom will return to Perth to bolster the line-up of a renewed and re-energised Force side.

“I’m incredibly excited to be coming home to Western Australia to play in front of the Sea of Blue again,” Longbottom said.

“Perth and the Western Force is my home, and everyone in the Sea of Blue is my extended family. I can’t wait to pull the Force jersey back on and be part of this great club again. I am looking forward to seeing everyone soon.”

The 32-year-old, affectionately known as K-Bomb, was the first born-and-raised West Australian to make the journey through local club rugby, to the Force academy and ultimately the Western Force’s Super Rugby squad.

The Rockingham product made his debut in 2008 against the Chiefs, going on to earn 57 Super Caps in the blue jersey and was awarded the Force Man Award in 2011.

As part of Longbottom’s contract he has committed to contributing 350 hours of his time to community programs, including the RugbyRoos junior development initiative launched by Minderoo earlier this month.

Longbottom will join a squad which includes fellow former-Force players Marcel Brache and Peter Grant, along with other names to be announced.