England captain Maro Itoje has agreed a new Saracens deal, with his planned retirement date now firmly in sight.

The 31-year-old had caught the eye of clubs in France. Bordeaux and Perpignan were both keen to lure him across the Channel.

But Itoje is going nowhere. At least not yet.

The Guardian reports that the England skipper has agreed fresh terms with Saracens.

The deal is set to run until 2029.

That is also the year Itoje plans to hang up his boots.

It seems the England captain has his exit all mapped out.

Maro Itoje makes Saracens decision

Itoje's old deal was due to end after the 2027 Rugby World Cup.

A move to France would have been tempting. But it would also have put his England career on hold.

Under current RFU rules, players based overseas cannot play for England.

Instead, Itoje has chosen to stay with the club where it all began.

Saracens coach Brendan Venter told The Guardian:

"He is staying. He has agreed with the owner."

He added:

"It's brilliant of Maro, Maro is everything we want at the club."

For Saracens, it is a huge boost. For England boss Steve Borthwick, it is one less headache.

And for French clubs hoping to land one of rugby's biggest names? Back to the drawing board.

Maro Itoje has already set retirement date

Here is where things get interesting.

Itoje has already told the world when he wants to retire.

Speaking to The Times in July 2025, the England captain said:

"When I'm 35. That's a healthy age to retire."

He also made it clear that he wants to leave on his own terms.

"I don't want to leave rugby when I'm clinging on. I want to go out on my terms, while I'm fit."

That points towards 2029, the same year his new deal is set to end.

And, unlike most of us, Itoje seems to have his life mapped out.

The England skipper wants to walk away while his body still works. Not when he needs help getting out of bed.

Of course, plans can change. But Itoje has never sounded keen to play until the wheels fall off.

One final Rugby World Cup?

Before he calls it a day, Itoje still has plenty to play for.

The 2027 Rugby World Cup in Australia is the big one.

England will hope their captain can lead them to a first world title since 2003.

Then comes the 2029 British & Irish Lions tour of New Zealand.

That could be the perfect farewell for a player who has already achieved so much.

One club. One more World Cup. And perhaps one last Lions tour.

Not a bad way to sign off.

For now, though, Itoje has a job to do.

And Saracens fans can enjoy a few more years of watching one of their greatest players.

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