If Ed Slater's story had taken place across the Atlantic Ocean, it would be the ultimate embodiment of the 'American Dream'. The synopsis would go something like this: Kid quits university to chase unlikely sporting ambition and ends up as a major player at the country's biggest club.

While that sort of scenario would be greeted with pom-poms and flashing lights Stateside, the reality for Leicester Tigers lock Slater is one of hard graft and not even a hint of congratulatory back-slapping.

That is the 'Leicester way' – and one he has grown accustomed to since arriving at the club for the first time on a month's trial in Christmas of 2009, followed by a debut on loan from Nottingham in September 2010.

Before then, he was playing local league rugby in Sydney, Australia, for Eastern Suburbs. On their website is a picture of a youthful-looking English lad celebrating a "second grade" trophy win.

The trophy he might be winning this year has a touch more gravitas attached to it.

It is not quite 'rags to riches' – but in rugby terms, the last 24 months in Slater's life has been some story.

The 23-year-old heads to Exeter tomorrow with almost 50 appearances for Tigers under his belt after agreeing terms on a new deal to keep him at Welford Road for the foreseeable future.

"I will be staying at Leicester," he said. "There was never any doubt about going anywhere else. I really enjoy it here and enjoy working with Richard Cockerill (director of rugby).

"My knowledge is better now than when I first joined and I am a lot more comfortable.

"From when I first started until now, I know what is expected of everyone around me and they know what to expect of me.

"I have gained confidence through training here, and there are world-class players everywhere. It is a great club to be at."

Slater is confident, grounded and engaging off the pitch. He has a broad smile but a handshake that could crush boulders.

On the pitch, he is fiercely committed and intimidating. He is the sort to say little but do lots. In the way he goes about his business, the likeness with the Martin Johnsons and Louis Deacons of this world are obvious.

But instead of playing the game, Leicester-born Slater, who grew up in Milton Keynes, could have been writing about it.

Four years ago, he was at Lincoln University studying journalism but gave it up after Eastern Suburbs asked him to play for them. And they paid his airfare Down Under.

"I had been to Sydney while taking time out to travel and played for Eastern Suburbs, but I came back to England with the expectation of going to university and playing club rugby here," he said.

"I was not on the radar of any Premiership or Championship clubs at all. Club rugby was all I knew. But I quit uni after a couple of months when Eastern Suburbs asked me over there and I took the game more seriously because they had paid for my flight.

"I managed to pick up the game and stayed for another two years before I came back to England on a month's trial at Leicester.

"I returned to Sydney after that, only for Nottingham to bring me back to England for six play-off matches."

When Tigers suffered injuries to Richard Blaze, Geoff Parling and Deacon at the start of the 2010-11 season, Slater got called from Nottingham and the rest, as they say, is history.

With an England Saxons cap under his belt and a chance to play a more prominent role in the Tigers squad next season with George Skivington moving on, the future is a bright one.

"It's a harsh environment here and there is nowhere to hide," said Slater. "But that brings out the best in my game and there is nowhere else I would rather be."