PARRAMATTA have resurrected another fallen NRL star, securing prop Richie Fa’aoso for next season.

Fa’aoso’s career looked to be over after he broke his neck while playing for Manly just prior to last year’s grand final.

However, doctors gave him the all clear to return last month and the race for his second coming quickly boiled down to a two-horse affair between the Eels and Roosters.

Fa’aoso’s relationship with Eels coach Brad Arthur, whom he played under at Manly in 2013, was a key factor. It’s understood the Eels have signed him for one season, with an option in the club’s favour for a further 12 months should their new recruit make a successful comeback.

Fa’aoso is not the only front row gamble for Arthur, who has also taken a punt on jailbird Danny Wicks. The former Dragons and Knights enforcer has not played NRL since 2009, when he was arrested and charged for serious drug trafficking offences.

Parramatta also remain hopeful of gaining disgruntled Sea Eagles star Anthony Watmough for next season. Talks continued this week toward granting Watmough an early release, with Sea Eagles coach Geoff Toovey the lone stumbling block.

Toovey feels that he could set a dangerous precedent by letting Watmough leave 12 months before his contract expires, with fellow senior stars Steve Matai and Brett Stewart also requesting releases from Toovey at various stages this year.

The Eels have had to purge their own stocks to create room for the new buys. Kelepi Tanginoa, Brenden Santi and Mitch Allgood were all given permission to leave, while Ken Sio, Fuifui Moimoi, Willie Tonga and Ben Smith won’t be on deck next year.