NZ Warriors back Marcelo Montoya had no doubts his future is in Auckland, wanting to pay back the faith the club have shown in him with a new contract.
On Monday, the 27-year-old put pen to paper on a new two-year deal with the Warriors, keeping him at the Kiwi club through to the end of the 2025 NRL season.
Under new coach Andrew Webster, Montoya has quickly become an integral part of the side, now genuinely vying for finals football.
After enduring a difficult spell with Canterbury Bulldogs, on and off the field, Montoya was short on offers as to his next move before the Warriors came calling in 2021.
But even having to live on the road during the COVID-enforced three-year exile for the Kiwi side, signing for the Warriors was the best move for Montoya.
"For me, I'm really grateful for the opportunity to be here," Montoya said. "It's just an awesome opportunity for me to stay under Webby, learn and continue to grow my game.
"I'm pretty lucky to be here to be honest, it's a great club. A few years ago, when they gave me the opportunity [to join] from the Bulldogs, I didn't really have anything - no contracts on the table.
"But the Warriors gave me an opportunity. The club took a gamble on me, for me, that's what I'm truly grateful for.
"It's something I'll hold close to my heart. I really love this club, and it means a lot to me."
In fact, such was Montoya's commitment to the club and Webster, the Fiji international says not even offers from elsewhere - even to return to his native Australia - could tempt him to leave.
And with the Warriors building under their new coach, a development side at the top of the second-tier New South Wales Cup, and also securing the signature of former captain Roger Tuivasa-Sheck to return to the club in 2024, the future looks bright at Mt Smart.
"We had the conversation in pre-season, I didn't want to go anywhere else.
"Even if any other club [made] an offer, I didn't want to leave this place. I knew it's the right place for me to be in my career and what I want to learn as a player.
"Webby's been awesome for me. We always say it, but he doesn't get the wraps he deserves."
However, the Warriors will be left with one or two selection headaches.
Boasting one of the most exciting backlines in the NRL, competition for places is already hard, and will only get harder for some of the club's biggest names.
Montoya has already shifted infield this season to accommodate the form of wingers Dallin Watene-Zelezniak and Ed Kosi, while Tuivasa-Sheck or Charnze Nicoll-Klokstad will likely move into the centres next season.
For the man himself, though, the number on his back is meaningless, so long as he's doing the job his teammates need him to do.
"For me, it doesn't really bother me. As long as I'm happy and I'm enjoying my footy, it doesn't bother me.
"Kosi's playing really well, it doesn't bother me at all. As long as I'm doing my job for the team.
"If that's where my job is, whether it's on the wing, in the centres or on the bench, I'll put my best foot forward for the team."
