Essendon Football Club is pleased to announce Jayden Laverde has agreed to a two year contract extension.
The new deal will see the 20-year-old remain a Bomber until the end of the 2018 season.
Laverde said his playing future was always going to be at Essendon.
“Having grown up supporting Essendon all my life, I’m really grateful for the opportunity to continue my career in the red and black,” Laverde said.
“Under Woosha we have a really clear understanding of the hard work we need to do as a team if we want to match it with the elite sides in the competition and achieve success.
“I’ve learnt a lot with my football this season, and I can’t wait to come back, train hard and prove myself alongside such a committed and hard working group of footballers who are also some of my closest friends.”
Laverde suffered a frustrating start to the year when he re-injured his shoulder in Round 4, but he fought his way back into the side and played the final eight games of the season.
Senior Coach, John Worsfold, said Laverde is a highly valued member of the playing group.
“Jayden arrived at the Club as an 18-year-old with a lot of raw talent, but through a great deal of hard work he has developed into an important contributor to the team” Worsfold said.
“Jayden worked really hard to get back from injury this year, and his pressure around the contest, clean skills and smart decision making was a great asset to us in the back half of the season.
“He has bought into the vision and culture of the football Club, he understands the hard work that is ahead of the group and the elite standards required if we are to improve as a side next season.”
To sign up as an Essendon member for 2017 click here.
Laverde joins Marty Gleeson and Aaron Francis as the third young Bomber to re-sign in the past seven days.
List and Recruiting Manager, Adrian Dodoro, said Laverde’s versatility would continue to play an important role in the Bombers’ line up in 2017.
“Jayden’s size and athleticism allows us to utilise him in a range of roles. He holds a strong mark with a powerful kick and provides the team with great pace,” Dodoro said.
“Although his first two seasons have been interrupted with injury, it has made him a stronger person and we know he is determined to continue to take his game to the next level.”
Laverde was selected with pick 20 in the 2014 National Draft. The young Bomber has played 18 senior games since debuting against Melbourne in Round 15, 2015.
