Chris Forrester has committed his long-term future to St Patrick's Athletic.
Forrester, 28, re-joined the Saints in 2019, having returned to the League from spells with Peterborough United and Aberdeen, and was shortlisted for the PFAI's Player of the Year award for 2021.
The Dubliner scored the opening goal in the FAI Cup final eight days ago against another former club, Bohemians - and although he missed a spot-kick in the subsequent penalty shoot-out, the Saints prevailed.
With head coach Stephen O'Donnell informing the club 48 hours later that he was leaving, there were fears at Richmond Park that some star names could follow him to Dundalk as a large chunk of the squad is out of contract.
That left new manager Tim Clancy and the Saints board scrambling to get contracts sorted but Forrester is the first big name to recommit to the Inchicore outfit.
And the first player reported to be joining O'Donnell's Dundalk project is Bohemians' experienced midfielder Keith Ward - another who missed a penalty in that Cup final.
"I am delighted to be back at the club and thankful for another opportunity to play for a club that means so much to me," said Forrester.
"I can't wait to get going again next season."
St Pat's Club chairman Garrett Kelleher commented: "Chris has had a great season with the club and is thoroughly deserving of his nomination for PFAI Player of the Season, he will continue to be an integral part of the club over the next few years.
"On behalf of the board and myself we are excited about what the future holds for the club with personalities like Chris here."
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