Gloucester Rugby Secure Future of Rising Star Charlie Atkinson with New Contract

Gloucester Rugby have confirmed that highly promising fly-half Charlie Atkinson has signed a new contract, keeping him at Kingsholm Stadium until at least 2029. Atkinson, 24, has been one of the standout performers for the Cherry & Whites since joining from Oxford RFC in 2024. His impressive form not only earned him Gloucester’s Coaches’, Players’ and Supporters’ Player of the Season awards for 2025/26 but also saw him displace established Irish international Ross Byrne from the starting lineup.

Since his move to Gloucester, Atkinson’s talent has been recognised on the international stage, with six appearances for England A and a senior England cap against the USA in 2025. The club had faced considerable interest from rival teams eager to secure his services, making this new deal a significant achievement for Gloucester Rugby.

Head Coach George Skivington expressed his pleasure at retaining the player, stating: “We’re delighted to extend Charlie’s contract here at Kingsholm. He was a player we identified early as a valuable addition, and he has worked incredibly hard to earn his opportunities. The dedication he has shown over the past year has truly paid off on the pitch. Securing Charlie’s future is a real coup for us amidst strong interest from other clubs. We are confident in the programme and vision we’ve built here, and it is clear Charlie shares our ambition to play a major role in it.”

Reflecting on his decision to stay, Atkinson said: “The choice to re-sign was straightforward once I considered all my options. Although I’m not originally from Gloucester, the support from the team and fans has been welcoming, making this place feel like home. Most importantly, I am thoroughly enjoying my rugby right now. I feel I have a significant role in the team, and with the exciting changes in coaching and the playing group over the summer, I believe we will continue to improve both as a unit and as individual players.”