Japanese international and fan favourite Fumiaki Tanaka has opted to stick with the Highlanders for another season.

Japanese halfback Fumiaki Tanaka has signed on for a fourth season with the Highlanders.

Tanaka has developed into a fan favorite at the Highlanders. He also provides the Super Rugby champions with a second halfback who can clear the ball quickly and his style suits their up tempo type game.

There were some doubts as to whether Tanaka would return or stay in Japan and play for their new Super Rugby team but it is the lure of the Highlanders that has won over.

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The Highlanders' 2016 squad was largely sorted leading into Wednesday morning's announcement with 29 players returning from this year's title-winning effort.

Liam Squire, Rob Thompson, Luke Whitelock and Matt Faddes had already been announced as new signings before the official announcement.

The Highlanders have bolstered their front row stocks with Tasman prop Siosiua Halanukonuka and Auckland hooker Greg Pleasants-Tate named in the 2016 squad.

Craig Millar (Otago) returns to the squad after a one-year hiatus due to injury as well as teammate, lock Jackson Hemopo, who debuted for the Highlanders in 2015 after coming into the squad as injury cover.

Also included in the 38-man squad is 19-year old Patelesio Tomkinson. Tomkinson is one of 10 Otago players named in the squad.

HIGHLANDERS SQUAD

(Forwards) Alex Ainley, Shane Christie, Liam Coltman, Ash Dixon, Elliot Dixon, Brendon Edmonds, Gareth Evans, Tom Franklin, Ross Geldenhuys, Siosiua Halanukonuka, Jackson Hemopo, Josh Hohneck, Daniel Lienert-Brown, James Lentjes, Craig Millar, Greg Pleasants-Tate, Dan Pryor, Mark Reddish, Liam Squire, Luke Whitelock and Joe Wheeler.

(Backs) Marty Banks, Richard Buckman, Jason Emery, Matt Faddes, Malakai Fekitoa, Waisake Naholo, Patrick Osborne, Hayden Parker, Josh Renton, Ben Smith, Aaron Smith, Lima Sopoaga, Fumiaki Tanaka, Rob Thompson, Patelesio Tomkinson, Ryan Tongia and Teihorangi Walden.