FOR 25 years Parramatta have searched for the right man to take ownership of their prized No. 7 jumper.

On Thursday Kieran Foran will be officially unveiled as the latest to try and put to bed the Peter Sterling halfback curse.

Coach Brad Arthur has confirmed Foran will become the 35th player to wear the Eels’ No.7 jumper since 1990, after which Sterling only played a total of four games in his final two seasons.

“Kieran will be halfback. Kieran wants to get his hands on the ball more so he will be able to do that,” Arthur said.

“He comes as our marquee player and the difference will be that he is going to have a lot more responsibility.”

ARTHUR: Get off Choc’s back

Parramatta haven’t won a premiership since 1986, managing just two grand final appearances. In Arthur’s third year in charge, and with Foran’s reported $1.1 million a season price tag, comes pressure to change that.

“He is going to have to lead and we want him heavily on the ball,” Arthur said of Foran.

“And that is a halfback’s role. We really want him taking control of this team.”

While outlining Foran’s role, Arthur also explained why he will complement Corey Norman.

“It is always handy to have a left footer and right footer on either side of the ruck,” Arthur said.

“It is ideal for your kicking game and both possess really good running games.

“Normy’s organisational skills have had to develop the last two years playing in the team that we have had and he has really taken control.

“Now he can step back a touch and really inject himself and run the footy when he needs to and Kieran will step up more as the general.”

At Manly the Kiwi international was surrounded by a superstar backline, and there is no doubt what happens from here will ultimately determine his legacy.

“Hopefully we have worked hard to put what we think is going to be a real competitive list around him and hopefully he lives to say he was very happy with his move to Parramatta,” Arthur said.

Foran may yet be the Eels’ captain for 2016 with Arthur still to choose between him, last season’s skipper Tim Mannah and Beau Scott, who captained Country last year.

Asked if Mannah’s leadership was confirmed, Arthur said: “We will decide who our captain is going to be coming into that last trial match.

“And Timmy knows that, there is no guarantees for any player.

“The idea is they all work really hard and focus on themselves individually and get as fit as they can and the leader or leadership group or whatever you want to call it will pop up naturally.

“Then it will be an easy selection for me come February.”