Ospreys captain Alun Wyn Jones has rejected offers from France and signed a new three-year deal with the Welsh region.
Jones' Wales colleagues James Hook and Lee Byrne are both leaving the Ospreys this summer to join Top 14 clubs Perpignan and Clermont Auvergne respectively.
But the 25-year-old lock was convinced to stay at the Liberty Stadium after holding detailed talks with the Ospreys coaching staff and the board about their plans for the future.
"It's flattering to have interest from France and offers from other clubs, but I'm very conscious that the grass isn't always greener on the other side," said Jones, who has won 48 Wales caps.
"I wanted to speak to the coaches and the board, to really understand the details of the changes they are making, and to see what their long term plans are.
"The evolution taking place here is very positive, the new facilities and players coming in makes me excited about the next three years. Let's say that it would have been a far more difficult decision to move on than it has been to stay here."
Although Byrne and Hook are leaving, Jones is the 10th Osprey to sign a new deal including Wales internationals Ryan Jones and Jonathan Thomas.
The Ospreys won the Magners League last season but have failed to reach their potential in Europe, having never progressed beyond the Heineken Cup quarter-finals.
"I feel bitterly disappointed if we fail to hit the highest standards that we all expect of the region," Jones added.
"I give everything to the Ospreys, and I'm hopeful that over the next three years I can really help the team kick-on to the next level."
Jones is a product of the Ospreys development system and was appointed captain of the region last year.
"Alun Wyn is integral to what we do here and to where we want to take the Ospreys moving forward," said forwards coach Jonathan Humphreys.
"He is captain for a reason - he exhibits all the characteristics we want and expect from our players, demands the highest standards of himself and his colleagues, is ambitious, and has a desire to succeed. This is fantastic news."
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