Ben Foden has described his European adventures as the highlights of his Northampton career after he signed a new contract at Franklin's Gardens.
The 24-year-old has become one of the most highly-rated young players in England but had little hesitation in committing his future to the East Midlands outfit.
Foden joined Northampton from Sale Sharks in the summer of 2008 and has gone on to make 48 first-team appearances, scoring 11 tries in the process.
In his debut season with the club he picked up an Amlin Challenge Cup Winners Medal after helping Saints beat Bourgoin in their first European final since 2000.
Since then, Foden has been a central figure in Northampton's push for a Heineken Cup quarter-final place, with Saints sitting second in Pool 1 with two games left to play.
"The highlights for me so far have to be winning the Challenge Cup last year and winning against Munster this year," said Foden.
"We need to be playing the best teams in Europe and to compete in those games is a testament to where we have come from and are going to."
Foden moved to Saints intending to establish himself as first-choice scrum-half but instead he has settled into the full back role, excelling on numerous occasions and winning an England call up.
And the former England Sevens star admits that the decision to join a side then preparing for their first season back in England's top-flight, coupled with an acceptance that full back is the position to which he is most suited, has been a massive part of his continuing development.
"It's been good for me so far," added Foden.
"I've enjoyed being in new surroundings, I feel part of the team at full back and we're playing good rugby.
"I really enjoy working with (Northampton coaches) Dorian West, Paul Grayson and Jim Mallinder. Jims a former full back but he let me choose my own path.
"Now I'm playing full-back he's now giving me direction and help in how to develop. All of the coaches are very good at managing players and I'm looking forward to where they're taking the team in the future."
Unsurprisingly, Mallinder himself is delighted to have secured the services of one of his prized assets.
The former Sale boss sees Foden as a key part of his long-term plans as Saints look to establish themselves as regular Heineken Cup contenders.
"Ben has settled into being one of our most dangerous attacking players," explained Mallinder.
"He is the type of player that suits us, with individual ability to create something from nothing but also knowing what role he can play in the team as a whole.
"As well as being a good finisher he also has awareness of what is going on around him and he has laid on a number of tries for other players as well.
"I'm delighted that he has signed on again with us."
