Parramatta prop Jeremy Latimore will play his rugby league next season with the New Zealand Warriors, the club said on Thursday.

He has been signed on a one-year deal, with the club having an option on him for 2011.

The 22-year-old broke into first-grade against South Sydney in round 11 this season, the last of his seven interchange appearances for Parramatta coming against the Warriors in round 23 in mid-August.

Born and raised in Port Macquarie, Latimore represented the Junior Kangaroos in 2005 and NSW Residents last year.

Warriors coach Ivan Cleary said the young Parramatta front rower provided more depth in the club's front-row options for the 2010 season.

"We were in the market for a prop and we knew a bit about Jeremy after seeing him play in the NSW Cup and also against us in the NRL," Cleary said.

"He's had a taste of first-grade football and now he has an opportunity to push his cause when he starts with us in the off-season."

Latimore will join a propping contingent that includes Steve Price, Sam Rapira, Russell Packer, Jesse Royal and Jacob Lillyman, who all handled front row duties in 2009.

Also in the mix is 2008 Junior Warrior Mataupu Poching and 2009 NYC prop James Gavet.

Latimore, 191cm and 109kg, was a regular for Parramatta's feeder side Wentworthville, which won the New South Wales Cup premiership last season and finished one win short of a repeat grand final appearance this year.

Among his teammates in last year's title-winning team was new Warriors halfback James Maloney.

The Warriors also confirmed halfback Shaun Johnson has extended his contract to 2012 with an option for 2013. Johnson is one of five players from the club's 2009 NYC squad who have had their contracts upgraded to full NRL status for next season. The others are Elijah Taylor, Alehana Mara, Sione Lousi and Gavet.

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