Manly man mountain Taniela Paseka has re-signed with the club on a three-year deal.
Fresh off the back of losing star prop Addin Fonua-Blake to the Warriors, the Sea Eagles have secured the man who looks set to replace him in their starting 13.
Paseka, 22, has played 43 NRL games, 17 in 2020, mostly off the bench, though he can expect a bigger role next season.
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The massive front-rower earlier this season knocked back interest from the NFL over a potential code switch amid the coronavirus outbreak.
"Yeah so I had an offer like Valentine Holmes, we went to that IMG academy so I had an offer for this year and I had to turn it down because of what happened this year with COVID,” Paseka said earlier this month.
“It was cool. It was an opportunity seeing Valentine Holmes, Jordan Mailata do it, it would’ve been an experience to try and do.
“When I was young, I used to watch NFL as well and see them play their games and I would always think ‘I can do that, I can be that guy.’
“I spoke to my manager and then one lead to another and I got offered a position in the IMG academy but just couldn't take it due to the risks that I’d have to go through.”
Paseka said he was keen to nail down a spot in Des Hasler's side - a task now made easier by the departure of Fonua-Blake.
"The risk that I’d be taking, there were no guarantees on where my future was and you know how hard is in the NFL to make it,” he said.
“I also feel like I’ve got a good spot here in Manly and I don't want to lose it so I really want to stay here and play.
“I’ve still got to cement my position here.”
Speaking after the announcement of his new deal, Hasler said Paseka's development had been encouraging.
“Taniela has really stepped up this season and we are delighted to have secured his services until the end of 2024 with this new deal,’’ Hasler said.
“For a young player in just his third season in the NRL, I know Taniela will only further improve and will play a major role in our forward pack in the years to come.”
