Parramatta have signed Dylan Brown to a two-year contract extension in an important step towards breaking their premiership drought.
The five-eighth's new deal includes an option to remain with the Eels until the end of the 2031 season, by which time he will be 31.
AAP understands the Eels had been keen to make Brown an Eel for life but given he is still only 22, the player option offers flexibility to both parties.
With his previous contract expiring in 2023, Brown had been free to negotiate with rivals from November 1 but has now put an end to speculation he could move away from his junior club.
"I left New Zealand to pursue an NRL career when I was 15, and the Eels have been home for me ever since," said Brown, who will remain at Parramatta until at least 2025.
"It's been an amazing journey so far, and the club has an exciting future that I want to be part of for a long time.
"I'm grateful to be a part of this club, from Brad (coach Brad Arthur) and the coaches to my teammates, all the staff, our members and fans, I couldn't picture myself anywhere else."
A dangerous running half, Brown played five-eighth for the Eels on the road to the 2022 NRL grand final, which they lost to local rivals Penrith.
The charge to the decider broke the NRL's longest active preliminary final drought.
Brown made his international debut for New Zealand at the 2022 Rugby League World Cup and scored a try in the semi-final loss to Australia.
The Eels also remain in talks to re-sign Brown's halves partner Mitchell Moses.
Moses' lucrative deal does not run out until the end of 2024 but the 28-year-old has been able to negotiate with rivals since November 1 thanks to a clause in his deal.
Arthur was optimistic of retaining Moses when quizzed earlier in the season but the halfback has been linked with a return to the Wests Tigers, where he made his NRL debut in 2014.
Waqa Blake, Will Penisini, Nathan Brown and Maika Sivo are the other members of the Eels' grand final team whose contracts run out at the end of 2023.
