“I’ve been a Giant since being drafted in 2013 and after weighing everything up,just can’t wait to continue building on what we have here at the Giants.

“The club has grown considerably since I’ve arrived. We’ve got a strong track record of playing finals football and I believe the best is yet to come for the Giants.

“I can’t wait for what lies ahead for this team and the club.”

Kelly,26,is now tied to the Giants until the end of 2029,by which time he will be 34.

North had previously offered Kelly a nine-year deal worth close to $10m when he was out-of-contract in 2017,a contract he also rebuffed.

Kelly’s option deal is similar to the signed by Eagle Andrew Gaff,also a client of Connors Sports management,who likewise chose the option of a (four-year) deal as a free agent in 2018.

An All-Australian in 2017,Kelly’s form dipped in subsequent seasons,but he has returned to somewhere near his best this season.

“This is a great endorsement of the culture and the future direction of the club and we are delighted to have Josh Kelly as a Giant for life,” said GWS chief executive Dave Matthews.

Giants football chief Jason McCartney added:“Josh is a young leader of our club,he wants to play consistent finals football and clearly believes the club will be contending for several years to come.

“We are delighted Josh now joins the likes of Stephen Coniglio,Toby Greene,Lachie Whitfield and Nick Haynes as players that’ll spend their whole career at the club.”