Bath centre Eliota Fuimaono-Sapolu has signed a new two-year contract at The Rec.

The 27-year-old Samoa international, whose existing deal was due to expire at the end of the season, has committed his future to the Guinness Premiership club until 2010.

He revealed team-mate and compatriot Zak Feaunati had a key role in his decision to sign on, saying: “I call him the Samoan Sultan, so I consulted with him first before I made my decision.”

Fuimaono-Sapolu, a qualified solicitor, now hopes to help Bath win some silverware, with the club only a point behind Premiership leaders Gloucester as well as being in the semi-finals of the European Challenge Cup.

“Joe Maddock recently said that we have not brought back much silverware in recent times, and that for me, like the other members of the team, is a massive goal and something that I hope that will be a highlight of my time with Bath.”

Head coach Steve Meehan made it clear what he expects of Fuimaono-Sapolu, who joined the club on a short-term deal in January 2006.

Meehan said: “He is quite an aggressive attacking player, he has tremendous footwork, where he can beat a member of the defensive line and he is quite a powerful guy, so when is necessary, we want to see him busting some opposition, rather than dancing round them.

“He is a skilful player and he has got plenty of experience and he has been at the club for a while now, so can take more of a leadership role, and I would expect to see that from him for the next couple of seasons.”