NOTTINGHAM prop Michael Holford has signed a one-year contract extension with the Meadow Lane club.

HAPPY HOLF: Prop Michael Holford is loving life at Nottingham and has penned a new deal. PIC: Alison Bowden

Holford, 30, has been a key figure for Martin Haag's high-flying Green and Whites, featuring 20 times in all competitions this term.

The former Leicester Tigers and London Wasps Premiership forward said: "I had a great time here last year and this year has been fantastic.

"We are a close-knit team and I rate what Martin Haag and forwards coach Neil Fowkes are doing very highly."

Holford said rugby was just part of the attraction of staying with the East Midlands outfit.

"We are a club on the up and I love my life outside the game, with my family and little daughter so close in Leicester," Holford said.

"There are lots of factors and reasons that I've stayed.

"I'm coaching at South Leicester (in National League 3 Midlands) and that is something I'm really enjoying and which has really helped me as a player.

"As a coach it is a great feeling to have people look up to you and that is a role I want to take on more and more as a leader with Nottingham."

Holford is the latest to commit his future to the Championship club after long-serving back David Jackson agreed a new contract this week.