The Canberra Raiders can breathe a sigh of relief after veteran NRL prop Sia Soliola chose to sign a two-year extension on his deal that will see him stay in the nation's capital until at least the end of 2020.
The news was confirmed on Tuesday afternoon at a time when Raiders fans couldn't be blamed for worrying about Soliola's future at the club after Shannon Boyd (Titans) and Junior Paulo (Parramatta) decided to pursue other opportunities within the NRL.
RE-SIGNING NEWS! ✍️@kidceezar has re-signed with the green machine!
— Canberra Raiders (@RaidersCanberra) July 3, 2018
➡️ https://t.co/Ge0eyLwNrI#WeAreRaiders #NRL pic.twitter.com/T5Ubg9DJlG
The 31-year-old has played 73 matches for the Raiders since joining the club in 2015, after playing 117 matches for Super League St Helens between 2010 and 2014.
The big man started his rugby league career with the Sydney Roosters in 2005 where he donned the Tricolours jersey 92 times before heading overseas in 2009.
Soliola was thrilled with his new deal.
"I'm really excited and happy to be remaining in Canberra," he said via the club's website.
"I broke the news to my son Israel and he's really excited too. Canberra has become a home for our family and we are looking forward to staying here.
"Although our results on the field haven't been where we wanted to be this year I know we've got a very talented group of players here for the next couple of seasons and I'm very humbled to be a part of that.
"I'm really settled in Canberra and I like to think I've still got my best years of footy ahead"
NRL Leaks previously reported that Soliola was considering all his options in terms of his future, with retirement even coming into question.
After a terrible start to the season, the Green Machine sit in ninth position, just six points outside the top eight.
Canberra lost their first four fixtures of the 2018 season, but since then have turned it around and won six of their last 11 fixtures, with those five losses coming against Rabbitohs, Sharks, Dragons, Panthers and Broncos.
They club has also recently snapped up halfback Aidan Sezer on a new two-year deal.
