Leicester Tigers director of rugby Richard Cockerill believes Geoff Parling's decision to stay at Leicester was based around his desire to keep improving.
The out-of-contract 29-year-old ended weeks of speculation surrounding his future by agreeing terms to remain at Welford Road.
That means Parling turned down the advances of Gloucester, who were keen to sign him as Jim Hamilton is off to Montpellier this summer.
Cockerill said he was delighted with former Newcastle man Parling's decision, and hopes he will continue improving as much as he has done since joining Tigers in 2009.
"Geoff's decision shows the quality of the environment we have at Leicester Tigers, and that plays a big part in players wanting to stay here," said Cockerill.
"Geoff wants to continue to develop as a player, and he agrees with us that he can do that best by playing for Leicester Tigers."
Parling has made more than 50 starts for the club, and his consistency has made him an ever-present in the squad.
He bounced back from knee reconstruction surgery to lead Tigers' line-out and make 12 appearances for England in the last year.
Cockerill added: "We told Geoff that he has always been part of our plans going forward, and it is very good news that he has decided to stay."
