Drew Mitchell has confirmed his decision to join the Waratahs for the next two Super rugby seasons after recommitting to the Australian Rugby Union until the end of 2011.
The 25-year-old signalled his intentions to end his three-year stint with the Western Force to join the Waratahs in April but only finalised the deal on Tuesday.
The incumbent Wallabies winger says he agonised over his decision for some time before deciding to move closer to his family and friends.
"The decision to move teams is obviously a big one and something that I didn't take lightly but I guess once I came to that decision things became a lot clearer for me and I could just focus on the job," he said.
"I've actually decided now for quite some time, it was just a matter of just signing off with the ARU and just getting on top of the finer points of the contract, so it's all good it's out the way now."
Mitchell's move is timely for the Waratahs having lost Lote Tuqiri and Timana Tahu in recent weeks.
Tuqiri had his ARU contract torn up earlier this month over an alleged disciplinary breach while Tahu requested an early release from the final two years of his contract last week to return to the NRL.
While Mitchell admits he was looking forward to combining with Tuqiri and Tahu on the park, he remains comfortable with his decision to join the 2008 runners-up.
"When I was looking at the prospect of coming over here having guys like Timana and Lote in the squad certainly appealed to me, playing alongside those guys but I don't think anyone could really look into the future and predict what's happened," he said.
"But I'm here and I've committed myself to here and I'm really looking forward to and excited about the prospect of next year."
"Whether or not those two guys are going to be there is out of my control and we've just got to do the best we can with the squad we've got."
Having yet to crack the top four in six Super 14 campaigns with the Reds and Force, Mitchell has his sights set on the post season in 2010.
"I haven't been around in the finals of a Super 14 season just yet but it's certainly something I've been looking forward to trying to do and hopefully now that I'm here with the Waratahs it might be something that I'm able to achieve."
Waratahs coach Chris Hickey declared Mitchell's signature is a massive boost for the Waratahs' future prospects.
"Drew is a fantastic footballer who has done the job for the Reds, the Force and the Wallabies whenever he’s been asked," Hickey said.
"His versatility between fullback and wing works in well with our style of play and it is clearly a role he revels in for the Wallabies as well."
"We had an eye on Drew as soon as we knew he was off contract and right from the start he indicated he would really enjoy a move to Sydney to be part of the Waratahs set-up."
Hickey expects to reveal a number of new signings in the coming weeks with former Western Rams centre Rory Sidey among the players on the Waratahs' radar.