North Melbourne's Cameron Zurhaar is understood to have agreed to a new two-year deal to remain at Arden Street until the end of 2024, turning his back on reported interest from Essendon.
Zurhaar stood as a key piece on Alastair Clarkson's checklist in his opening weeks at the Kangaroos, with the energetic forward having held off contract talks with the Roos until the off-season.
The 24-year-old's decision to park discussions only ignited external interest, with the Bombers named among the keen suitors for this services.
The Western Australian has developed into an integral retention target for North Melbourne, striking a welcomed run of form across the 2022 season to boot 34 goals from his 19 appearances.
Clarkson's recent arrival as senior coach was sure to sway Zurhaar in favour of remaining in the blue and white, with 7 News' Mitch Cleary revealing on Friday afternoon that the medium-sized forward will pen a new multi-year deal.
Pending "finishing touches" on his next contract, Zurhaar and the Roos are set to extend their partnership for a further two seasons, taking the former to his seventh and eighth seasons at the club.
With Zurhaar's signature reportedly secured, the Roos will turn their attention to hopefully retaining the likes of Aaron Hall, Curtis Taylor, Bailey Scott and Todd Goldstein, who are all yet to recommit beyond this year.
Both Goldstein and Scott finished in the top four of North Melbourne's best and fairest count for 2022, while Zurhaar managed a seventh-placed running.
Scott is understood to be garnering interest from Geelong this year, while Goldstein is another Roos that is sure to be in the sights of rival clubs given his intentions to play on next season.
The Roos are also anticipated to be busy in their own recruitment space, with Clarkson understood to have sought out several players in regards to potential acquisitions.
St Kilda duo Brad Hill and Ben Long, Giants youngster Tanner Bruhn, Fremantle pair Blake Acres and Griffin Logue, and West Coast's Junior Rioli have all been tied to North Melbourne since Clarkson's appointment.