Enigmatic Essendon star Jake Stringer has put pen to paper on a deal that will see him remain in a red sash until the end of 2024.
According to journalist Sam McClure, Stringer, his management and the club agreed to terms on a deal at some stage before Wednesday afternoon.
McClure revealed as much in a tweet posted at 1:50pm on Wednesday.
Jake Stringer has signed a three year contract extension at Essendon.
More soon @theage
— Sam McClure (@sam_mcclure) July 21, 2021
Stringer confirmed McClure's earlier reports in an official statement issued by the club on Wednesday afternoon.
โI was never going anywhere else. Itโs great to get the contract done and Iโm grateful to the club for the opportunity,โ Stringer said.
โI love this football club. Weโre really building something thatโs going to be pretty special to be a part of. โTruckโ (Ben Rutten) has been terrific for me this season and the boys are as determined as ever to take this club back to where we want to be. We still have a long way to go, but Iโm excited to play my part in that as one of the older guys helping to developing the young, exciting group we have.โ
A message from the MOTM โค๏ธ๐ค pic.twitter.com/Q1YgjeL1lO
— Essendon FC (@essendonfc) July 21, 2021
An ecstatic Essendon list manager Adrian Dodoro also heaped praise on Stringer.
โJake has had a terrific season to date, and weโre really pleased to have reached this outcome with both Jake and his management,โ Dodoro said.
โJake is to be commended for his work, not only for his clear talent on the field, but for his attitude and approach to leadership off the field this season. He has been encouraging and supporting the development of our young forwards, in particular the likes of Harrison Jones, and weโve seen a lot of growth from Jake as both a player and a person in recent years.
โHe is as driven as anyone to take this club forward, and I know our members and supporters are looking forward to watching more electric performances from Jake in the years to come.โ
Stringer, 27, was previously reported to be at an impasse with Essendon about the length and financial terms of his latest deal.
Earlier reports suggested that the former Bulldog had been seeking a four-year deal to remain at the hanger, but as the forward has a history of soft tissue injuries, the Dons were also said to be wary of agreeing to a contract of that length.
Stringer has enjoyed a welcome return to form for the Tullamarine side in 2021, having split the big sticks on 29 occasions this season.
