Adelaide have secured the services of emerging defender Josh Worrell for a further two seasons.
Set to see his current contract reach its cessation at the end of next season, the Crows have acted to extend the 23-year-old's ties at West Lakes until the end of 2027.
The new deal comes as Worrell prepares for an extensive rehabilitation program after requiring surgery on a broken arm, which will place the defender out of action for up to three months.
Worrell has been a shining light for the Crows under Matt Nicks over the past 18 months, having secured a role in Adelaide's rearguard as a promising tall backman.
The English-born talent played a career-high 12 games last year and featured in all nine matches to start the 2024 season, having taken on a void left by the injured Nick Murray.
Worrell returned to the senior side in Round 11 last year after just five previous games over his first three seasons with the club. He would see out the season as a staple in Nicks' plans and has started this season strongly.
"I'm obviously disappointed to be missing the next few months but it's not the end of the world and I'll be back before we know it,โ Worrell said in a club statement.
โI'm loving my footy here and the young backline we have at the Club.
โI'd love to taste the ultimate success with this group in the future so I'm looking forward to continuing the work we've started.โ
Worrell joined the Crows as the 28th overall selection of the 2019 National Draft out of the Sandringham Dragons.
He debuted midway through the 2021 campaign, which would be his only AFL appearance for the year.
Adelaide list manager Justin Reid said Worrell's recent setback was disappointing, but expressed his excitement for the backman's eventual return and future with the club.
โThe injury has come at such an unfortunate time because Josh was in great form and has looked more confident at AFL level with every game,โ Reid said.
โBut these things happen in footy unfortunately and Josh will begin his rehab next week.
โHe had to bide his time after coming into the system and worked really hard to put himself in a position that when his opportunity at AFL level came, he was ready for it.
โHe is super competitive which is obviously very important for a defender, is good overhead and has a damaging left-foot kick which compliments our defensive group nicely.
โAnd only 26 games into his career there is a lot of improvement still to come so we are excited for what the future holds.โ
Adelaide's next game will come against reigning premiers Collingwood on Saturday at the MCG.
