Jacob Hopper has committed to the GWS Giants until he is eligible for free agency, signing a two-year deal with the club on Friday.
The 24-year-old - who made the All-Australian squad of 40 this season - had put off confirming a new deal until after the Giants campaign had finished, with the club not worried about losing the gun midfielder despite the delay.
Hopper's new deal will take them through to the end of the 2023 season, where he will be then be eligible as a free agent after seven years of service in western Sydney.
"The club’s been great in allowing me to focus on my football across what was a really disrupted season for us," Hopper said.
"I’m really excited to officially re-sign and I think we’ve shown on-field this season that we’re building something really special that I want to be a part of.
"I'm really looking forward to continuing to progress with this young group we have next season and into the future."
GWS' general manager of football Jason McCartney revealed he wasn't stressed about Hopper's future being up in the air and was delighted to lock the inside midfielder in.
"We’ve said all year we were really confident Jacob would remain a Giant but it’s great to officially confirm it," McCartney said.
"Jacob’s had an outstanding season - and that’s been recognised across the competition - but he’s also added tremendously to his leadership skills as an official member of our leadership group.
"He’s taken his game to another level and we’re excited for his continued progression in orange and charcoal."
Hopper has played 107 games for the Giants since being drafted at pick seven in the 2015 AFL Draft.