Test forward Tony Williams has officially put pen to paper and re-signed with NRL premiers Manly for a further two seasons.
Williams, who made his Kangaroos debut in Sunday's 42-6 demolition of New Zealand, shunned interest from rival clubs to stay with the Sea Eagles until the end of 2013.
The news will come as welcome relief for the Sea Eagles, who have witnessed the club being pulled apart since they won the club's eighth premiership by beating the Warriors earlier thismonth.
But while young winger Will Hopoate will link with Parramatta and coach Des Hasler, who joins Canterbury at the end of 2012, have announced their futures lie elsewhere, Williams stayed loyal.
"We are a really close-knit family here at the Sea Eagles," he said.
"I always wanted to stay and I'm enjoying my footy here and want to stay as long as I can.
"Des and all the coaching staff have played a big part in the improvement in my game.
"I see Des as a mentor and look forward to next year playing under him. Hopefully, we can go back to back in 2012."
Manly chief operating officer David Perry was pleased to have retained the monster second-rower.
"It's great news for the club to secure a quality young player like Tony for two more seasons," Perry said.
"He's taken his game to another level this year and we're confident he'll continue to develop under the great coaching staff here at Manly."
Williams, who made his Kangaroos debut in Sunday's 42-6 demolition of New Zealand, shunned interest from rival clubs to stay with the Sea Eagles until the end of 2013.
The news will come as welcome relief for the Sea Eagles, who have witnessed the club being pulled apart since they won the club's eighth premiership by beating the Warriors earlier thismonth.
But while young winger Will Hopoate will link with Parramatta and coach Des Hasler, who joins Canterbury at the end of 2012, have announced their futures lie elsewhere, Williams stayed loyal.
"We are a really close-knit family here at the Sea Eagles," he said.
"I always wanted to stay and I'm enjoying my footy here and want to stay as long as I can.
"Des and all the coaching staff have played a big part in the improvement in my game.
"I see Des as a mentor and look forward to next year playing under him. Hopefully, we can go back to back in 2012."
Manly chief operating officer David Perry was pleased to have retained the monster second-rower.
"It's great news for the club to secure a quality young player like Tony for two more seasons," Perry said.
"He's taken his game to another level this year and we're confident he'll continue to develop under the great coaching staff here at Manly."
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