Kieran Foran is poised to finally sign on with Parramatta on a lucrative four-year NRL deal, ensuring the future of coach Brad Arthur.
The two parties have agreed to terms, with Foran expected on Friday to officially ink a contract worth $1.2 million a year.
The New Zealand playmaker almost slipped through the Eels' net after the club attempted to renegotiate his deal which was originally signed off on in March.
The two parties agreed to remove a controversial $1 million get-out clause, however the deal would allow Foran to walk away should Arthur be sacked.
Arthur's future now looks on solid ground, with the Seven Network on Thursday reporting he had signed a two-year contract extension which would keep him at the club until the end of 2019.
Foran signed with the Eels in March but the deal was put in jeopardy after the Eels discovered the get-out clause which included a massive payout.
The original deal was negotiated by now-departed chief executive Scott Seward.
The Eels' back-tracking disturbed Foran and he considered walking away.
However, a reluctance to go back on his word and his relationship with Arthur were enough to get the agreement over the line.
Foran is close to the coach and playing under him had been a big drawcard for him to join the western Sydney club.
The deal is guaranteed for two years with an option for another two in the playmaker's favour.
Foran's current Manly teammate Matt Ballin said the get-out clause was a big show of faith in Arthur.
Ballin said it was impossible to replace Foran and hoped Manly used the money freed up by his departure to re-sign fullback Brett Stewart.
"Brett Stewart has been a great player for us for years and one of our best players," Ballin said.
"He's been so loyal to the club. I think the club should re-sign him for as long as we can and keep him in our team.
"He's been a prolific try-scorer, a great talker at the back, defensively and in offence, he's the reason why our club has been so successful for a lot of years along with a lot of other players."
After it emerged Foran was considering going back on the deal, his current club Manly as well as Canterbury and the Sydney Roosters made a play for his services.
Foran's signature is a boon for the club which has lurched from crisis to crisis in recent months.
Parramatta have endured a turbulent time following the departure of Seward and fined $525,000 for salary cap breaches.
Seward resigned last month citing personal reasons.
In May, the club were hit with a NRL breach notice for exceeding all four salary caps last season and threatened with the loss of four competition points next year unless they undertook an independent governance review.
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