Parramatta has announced a contract extension for Clint Gutherson following protracted negotiations.
It was widely reported on Thursday morning that Gutherson had agreed to a three-year deal, which was later confirmed.
It comes just two days after the club locked in coach Brad Arthur for a further two seasons.
Arthur, as well as several players - including skipper Gutherson and playmaker Mitchell Moses - were off-contract following the 2019 season.
MORE: Sydney clubs prepared to fork out $700K for Brisbane's Corey Oates
It led to several wide-ranging reports, but the expectations were that the key names would remain at Parramatta.
With Arthur the first domino to fall, Gutherson's re-signing marks another key step in the right direction for the club.
Reluctance to give Gutherson his mooted four-year deal sat on injury concerns, considering the 24-year-old made a return from a knee injury last year.
OFFICIAL | The Eels can confirm the re-signing of @ClintGutherson for three years, until the end of 2022!
— Parramatta Eels (@TheParraEels) May 16, 2019
Details: https://t.co/5245Yhmq7F #PARRAdise pic.twitter.com/nMfvMX69zz
2018 didn't go to plan as the Eels slumped to the wooden spoon, but Parramatta has since slid into the top eight after nine rounds this season.
Gutherson himself is in impressive form, and could even bolt into Origin contention considering Blues coach Brad Fittler said he would "absolutely take into consideration" the player's contract negotiations at the selection table.
Another report suggested Parramatta tabled a contract ultimatum to Gutherson.
On Wednesday, he rubbished the reports and expected to resolve the impasse as soon as possible.
"It will probably be this week or next week. I've just got to sit down with the ones close to me and move on from there," Gutherson told media on Wednesday.
"I don't think there ever was [an ultimatum from Parramatta], to be honest. I spoke to Sam [Ayoub, manager] when I heard of it and he said there wasn't.
"But look, I want to get it done and I'll put my own deadline on it and say next week, end of this week, early next week.
"... I want to get it done. I'm sick of hearing about it, sick of talking to Sam. I want to get it done and sooner rather than later."
