Hayne stays at Eels

Despite rumours of another high-profile defection to AFL, Jarryd Hayne has put his faith in rugby league and Parramatta by signing a new three-year deal.

The deal will see the 21-year-old New South Wales and Australia superstar remain at the Eels for another four seasons.

Hayne had been approached by a new AFL franchise to be based in Western Sydney, but the Dally M winner says he had no intention to leave.

He said: “Rugby league is my game and Parramatta have been very good to me and I’m really content knowing I will be an Eel for four more seasons,” Hayne said today.

“I know we are going to have a very competitive team for a few years under a great coaching staff and I just don’t want to play football anywhere else.

“I’m glad to have it all decided before I can come back into training next season after a break over Christmas and New Year.”

The news is a big boost for Parramatta Chief Executive Paul Osborne, who says Hayne still has untapped potential.

He said: “It is not every day you sign the number one player in the game, which Jarryd was in last year. We are determined to build on the platform that the players set in 2009 securing the great youth in the squad is paramount to this club having ongoing success.

“Jarryd has shown his confidence that we are the club and the sport with the biggest future in Sydney’s west and I’m confident our mutual faith will be rewarded.”