ESSEX all-rounder Graham Napier has signed a new two-year contract extension with his home county.

The 27-year-old, who has spent his entire 10-year career at the Ford County Ground, will now remain with the Eagles until at least the end of the 2009 season.

Colchester-born Napier's decision to stay with Essex has ended speculation that he would leave for Kent at the end of the summer after seeing his first-class opportunities limited at Chelmsford.

Despite scoring his maiden county championship hundred - a scintillating 125 off just 101 balls against Nottinghamshire in July - and averaging more than 70 with the bat, Napier has appeared in just seven of Essex's 12 LV County Championship matches this season.

In one-day cricket, Napier has been equally impressive, taking 14 wickets at just over 30 in this year's Friends Provident Trophy and Pro40 League.

With these credentials, the county was keen to keep his all-round skills in Essex colours and Napier was only too pleased to sign on for another two years.

"I am pleased to have committed myself to two more years at Essex and am looking forward to progressing my career during this new era at Essex with Mark Pettini as captain and Paul Grayson as first-team coach," he said.

"The previous couple of years have been hard sitting on the sidelines (due to injury problems) but so far this season, without tempting fate, everything has been going well with no fitness worries.

"As a result my form is also starting to show through as well. Over the course of my next contract I want Essex to get back to where we have been in previous seasons."

Both Grayson himself and Essex chief executive David East were delighted to secure the services of one of the county's most popular and amiable stars.

"Graham was out of contract at the end of the year so I'm glad we've sorted out his future," said Grayson.

"He's been here for a number of years and is an Essex lad so we hope he will continue to do well.

"Graham has done particularly well in one-day cricket but we'd like to see him kick on in the Championship where he's done well with the bat but needs a few more wickets."

East echoed those sentiments, adding: "Graham has put in some very good performances - especially in one-day cricket."