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Parramatta have re-signed centre Ben Smith on a four-year deal that will keep him at the NRL club until the end of 2012.
The 23-year-old, whose contract was due to expire at the end of the season, joined the Eels aged 19 in 2004 and has since scored 25 tries in 58 matches.
Smith said he hoped to be a one-club man after agreeing to the new deal.
“The future looks pretty exciting for the Eels and I’m very happy to know I’ll be a part of it,” Smith said.
“We’ve got a great squad and a top quality coaching staff and that’s always a good mix to have.
“I think of myself as a one-club man and now the deal’s done I can just focus on getting myself back to full fitness and playing some footy.”
Smith is currently recovering from off-season shoulder and knee surgery but is due to return to action early in the new NRL season.
He is likely to undergo a positional switch this year into the backrow as rising stars Krisnan Inu and Jarryd Hayne form a fresh centre pairing for the Eels.
Parramatta coach Michael Hagan said today he was delighted to have secured another of the club’s young stars.
“We made no secret of the fact keeping Ben was our next goal after securing Jarryd Hayne and Krisnan Inu,” Hagan said.
“So it’s a great outcome for the club to get the deal done because Ben adds plenty to the footy team both on and off the field.”
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