Kieran Foran has declared he is ready for the pressure that comes with being Parramatta's No.7.
The former Manly star joins the Eels as their most celebrated halfback since club great Peter Sterling retired in 1992, with coach Brad Arthur confirming his superstar recruit will play there in the 2016 NRL season.
Parramatta have not won a premiership since Sterling retired after featuring in all of Parramatta's four title-winning sides and expectation that things could be changing has followed Foran from Brookvale.
"There is pressure with anything but I just want to rip in at pre-season and get fit and strong and go from there," Foran said on Thursday.
"I'm always up for a challenge it is something that I look forward to, we are just getting fit and strong at the moment and once we get into ball work I will get a feel for it.
"But not that much changes, my last few years at Manly me and 'Cherry' (Daly Cherry-Evans) split the field and controlled left and right it is no different here."
"I'm keen on striking up a combination with (five-eighth) Corey (Norman).
The Kiwi international, who missed New Zealand's end-of-season tour to the UK due to an elbow injury, said he was happy to reunite with former Manly assistant Arthur as head coach at Parramatta. Arthur played the key role in luring Foran to the Eels.
"It's great to be back with him, I thoroughly enjoyed my time with him at Manly and, I always knew I would like to play under him and excited about that," Foran said.
"He has always been a great leader and a great talker."
Foran also moved to defend former Sea Eagles teammate Anthony Watmough who had a forgettable season in 2015 in his first in Parramatta colours.
"He is a fierce competitor, he is the one bloke that you want on your team," the 25-year-old said.
"He puts his body through so much week-in week-out and he clearly was playing battered last year.
"From what I heard he was taking so many needles just to take the field, if he can fix the body up I'm sure he will be able to throw a whole lot more into it."
Foran has had surgery on his troublesome elbow but said he will be fit for round one.
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