AJ MacGinty received some welcome news from his professional club team this week as the USA flyhalf continues his recovery from a knee injury.

The Sale Sharks of Premiership Rugby announced Wednesday they have re-signed MacGinty to a long-term extension that will keep the 28-year-old with the team for the next four years.

Such a commitment to a USA player is almost unheard of, with only Samu Manoa and Scott LaValla previously earning similar extensions. Pro teams rarely have the faith in a Eagles flyhalf and goalkicker, but MacGinty — who is also a strong defender and a brilliant attacking player — seems to be Sale's guy for the future.

PLAYER NEWS: @Aj_MacGinty signs a new 4 year deal with the Sharks

Read the full story here? https://t.co/IrA5upwyBe#SharkTime ?? pic.twitter.com/DUDNm2cusg

— Sale Sharks? (@SaleSharksRugby) February 28, 2018

"I am delighted to commit my long-term future to Sale Sharks," MacGinty said in a statement. "The vision the owners and coaches have for the club make Sale an exciting place to be in the coming years and with the strong group of players and young prospects committed to the club, I am confident we can challenge for honors in future seasons."

"I would also like to thank all Sale Sharks supporters who have been brilliant with me from day one and I look forward to getting back on the pitch in the coming weeks."

When the former Life University star returns to the field, he will look to keep up his impressive success rate as a goalkicker since joining Sale in the summer of 2016.

Massive thank you for the messages of support and well wishes over the last few days? Thankfully received some better news on my injury today...hopefully be back on the pitch in 3 months???

— Aj MacGinty (@Aj_MacGinty) January 9, 2018

This week, Premiership Rugby dug into its statistical records and realized that of all the goalkickers in the history of the top England-based pro league MacGinty is the most accurate.

That statistic is a bit flawed in that MacGinty, who plays outside half for the Sale Sharks, has a very impressive 86.6 percent success rate from only 90 attempts. By contrast seventh-ranked Gareth Steenson has 79.5 percent accuracy from a whopping 678 attempts. Jonny Wilkinson (eighth at 78.4 percent) had 635 attempts.

Still, it's a nice statistic of note. Premiership Rugby used a minimum of 75 attempts for the stat, but one could still argue that it's a bit like seeing an international debutant score two tries in his first game and saying he's the greatest try-scorer ever.

Take nothing away from MacGinty, though. Very few USA players ever get to be a) a starting flyhalf in the Premiership, b) the main goalkicker on said Premiership team, and c) get anywhere near the top accuracy marks. 

"AJ's attention to detail is second to none," Sale Sharks director of rugby Steve Diamond said. "He started his professional rugby career at an older age than many but he shows all the maturity and skill sets that anyone could wish for and he has been and will continue to be a fantastic player for us."