Leftheri Zigiriadis embraces Northampton Saints challenge

Northampton Saints summer signing Leftheri Zigiriadis is settling into life at Franklin’s Gardens after joining from Ealing Trailfinders.

The 24-year-old prop has begun pre-season with his new teammates and is eager to embrace both the playing environment and culture at the Gallagher PREM club.

Leftheri Zigiriadis Settles Into Saints

Zigiriadis arrived in Northampton at the end of July alongside fellow former Ealing player Josh Taylor and has spent his opening weeks getting accustomed to his new surroundings.

The prop said his early experience of the Saints environment had been positive, highlighting the relaxed atmosphere within the squad and his determination to earn his place within the group.

He intends to approach his first season gradually, focusing on improving through each week of training and competition.

“I’ve only done a few weeks of preseason, so I really want to earn my stripes and keep going,” he told the club's official website.

“It’s a very, very good environment with the boys in the changing room, the guys are very relaxed. Guys can just be themselves, which is the most important thing".

Familiar Territory at Franklin’s Gardens

Zigiriadis has already played at Franklin’s Gardens, scoring for Ealing against Northampton in a PREM Rugby Cup quarter-final in early 2025.

He has also experienced the stadium as a supporter, including watching Saints’ remarkable 94-33 victory over Bristol last season.

Those experiences gave him an early appreciation of Northampton’s high-tempo style and the atmosphere generated by the club’s supporters.

“That game was a good one, and it was one of my better performances, so it was ideal that it happened then. The atmosphere was unreal too.

“I also watched some games at Franklin’s Gardens last year. The atmosphere when I came here as a supporter was unreal.

“I came to the Bristol game that Saints won 94-33, so that was a good one! I was just thinking ‘this is fast rugby, big guys move quickly’.”

Saints Prop Ready for Front-Row Competition

Zigiriadis joins a strong Northampton front row featuring England international Emmanuel Iyogun and experienced Italy prop Danilo Fischetti.

The new signing believes training and competing alongside established international players can accelerate his development.

“They’re some of the best props in the world,” said Zigiriadis.

“If you’re around guys who are the best, it can only uplift you.

“It will be good to learn from them and compete with them. I’m just fully looking forward to buying into the team and the culture off the pitch.

“I want to be myself, really. It’s one step at a time, and I’m just taking it week by week, game by game, and whatever comes, comes.”