Phil Dowson put pen to paper on a new deal at Saints before admitting the club still has plenty to prove.
The reliable flanker’s new deal is his third at Franklin’s Gardens, following his move from Newcastle Falcons in the summer of 2009.
He has helped Saints claim LV= Cup glory and played a big part in three Premiership play-off semi-finals and a Heineken Cup showpiece.
But a major trophy still eludes the 31-year-old and he is desperate to get his hands on a big pot or two after agreeing to stay at the Gardens.
“I’ve become very settled in Northampton since arriving here four years ago,” said Dowson.
“I’ve had a great time and made a lot of friends and that’s born out by the fact that I want to stay here.
“It is a factor in making a decision whether to stay or not, if you’re settled in a place and happy to live there, but the bigger issues at play are the club as a whole, the management, the playing staff and the ambition and supporter base, which has been unbelievable since I’ve been here.
“You see the guys who we’ve signed, the guys coming through the academy system, and the guys who we’ve re-signed and we’ve got a strong squad going forward.
“We’ve got plenty of things still to prove, silverware we want to win and to try and achieve something as a squad.”
Dowson has made 116 appearances for Saints and is the club’s joint top scorer - alongside George Pisi - this season, with five tries.
He is a key figure at the Gardens, a contribution recognised by director of rugby Jim Mallinder.
“Phil is very much one of our senior players, on and off the field,” said Mallinder.
“Regardless of whether he is named captain or not he always leads by example and puts in one top quality performance after another.
“His levels of consistency and durability, not to mention his experience at all levels of the game, mean that he will be an important player for us as we continue to build a squad we believe can compete at the top end of every competition we play in next season.”
Saints have also tied Ross McMillan to a new deal. The hooker has made 16 appearances for the club and has become a valuable back-up to Dylan Hartley and Mike Haywood.
