South Sydney have signed Damien Cook to a contract extension that will keep him at the club until at least the end of 2025.
Along with fellow Rabbitohs Latrell Mitchell and Cody Walker, Cook had been free to negotiate with other clubs from November 1, given he was entering the last year of his contract.
But the Rabbitohs have kept their rivals at bay with a two-year deal that will not expire until after Cook's 34th birthday.
"I'm really excited about signing this new deal as I know we have some great opportunities in front of us over the next few years," Cook said.
A late bloomer, Cook did not became a regular first-grader until the 2016 season but has gone on to play 170 NRL games, developing a reputation for his work ethic in the middle of the park and ability to move the ruck along.
Cook has not missed a single State of Origin game since making his debut for NSW in the 2018 series opener but was demoted to the bench in game two of this year's series.
He received the 2018 Dally M Hooker of the Year award and played for the Rabbitohs in their 2021 grand final loss to Penrith.
"Cooky is the epitome of professionalism in the modern game. His attitude to his training and his game preparation is unmatched," Rabbitohs head of football Mark Ellison said.
The club will now turn their attention to securing Mitchell and Walker but may need to wait until the 2024 salary cap is revealed with the league's new collective-bargaining agreement.
Mitchell has previously expressed his frustration at the laggard negotiations between the NRL and the Rugby League Players Association, which are continuing to stretch into the off-season.
