Marco Bortolami signs for two more years with Gloucester

Marco Bortolami, who has worn the Padova and Narbonne jerseys in Europe in the past, joined Gloucester last year and was appointed as club captain this season.

Since joining last year the Italian lock has played in all of Gloucester's eight Heineken Cup matches. His European experience includes nine caps with Padova in the European Shield and ten appearances for Narbonne in the European Challenge Cup.
At only 27 years of age, Marco Bortolami is considered to be one of the best players in his position and was elected the best Italian rugby player in 2006.

His newly extended contract will bind him to the club until at least 2010.

"Gloucester is my home, my new life and my passion - for me to be able to stay for another two years is fantastic," said the Italian and Gloucester captain.

"We made great progress last season and now it is up to us to build on it and create something very special in Gloucester's history.

I believe in what we are trying to achieve and in Dean Ryan's philosophy for the team. We are young, we are ambitious and we want to be successful."

In the third round of the Heineken Cup, Gloucester will go to Bourgoin on Friday, 7 December and will aim to keep their 100 percent record in this season's tournament.