Stephen Ferris has been a key figure in Ulster's back row

Stephen Ferris has signed a new three-year contract with Ulster which will keep him at Ravenhill until 2011.

The back-row player was a development player with the province before being promoted to a full contract ahead of the 2006-07 season.

He has recently returned from the Irish tour to New Zealand and Australia where he earned his fifth international cap.

"It means everything to me to don the Ulster shirt and it's a real honour to be part of the team," said Ferris.

"I am only 22 and hope to play for Ulster for a long time to come, I really couldn't see myself playing anywhere else.

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"There is such a fantastic group of lads in the squad and now that it is quite a young squad, we are going to build up a winning team together," he added.

Ferris, who won his first international cap against the Pacific Islands in 2006, believes new coach Matt Williams has had a positive effect on his game.

"Matt has made great changes since taking over and his style of coaching suits me, he makes me want to push myself harder and harder to play well and I know I'll work hard for him.

"I also have to say that David Humphreys being involved in the management was a big sway for me as David has been a major influence on me in my years at Ulster.

"I like the way the team management is going and I am glad that David is involved.

"Of course the atmosphere at Ravenhill is unbeatable, in my opinion there is no better place to play European rugby, so it's great that it's my home ground for a long time to come."