Manly have locked down Josh Schuster through to the end of 2027, with the five-eighth agreeing to a pay cut to stay at Brookvale.
Schuster penned a three-year extension with the Sea Eagles, insisting he was happy to stay on despite the offer of more money elsewhere.
The retention of Schuster follows Manly's recent raid on other clubs, with halfback Luke Brooks and centre Tommy Talau (both Wests Tigers) and winger Jaxson Paulo (Sydney Roosters) all lined up for Brookvale in 2024.
The addition of Brooks creates a logjam for the Sea Eagles in the halves, with the 22-year-old Schuster tipped to return to the back row after failing to fire at five-eighth this season.
"I know there will always be media speculation about what players are paid but the fact is I am staying here for less than I was offered elsewhere and less than my current deal which was due to expire in 2024,'' Schuster said.
"The reason is that I want to be a part of a successful Manly team, and I have bought into what (coach Anthony Seibold) is trying to do at the cub.
"He is being inventive, and he has an obvious plan to forge a team that goes beyond just numbers on players' backs."
Schuster has only managed eight games this season after struggling through back-to-back calf and quad injuries, coming up with a try and nine assists in those outings.
He had been linked with a move to the Wests Tigers before agreeing his new deal at Manly.
