Essendon Football Club is pleased to announce Tayte Pears has agreed to a new two-year deal.

Tayte impressed in his eleven senior appearances this season and will remain an integral part of the Bombers backline until at least the end of 2015.

Watch Tayte’s chat with Bomber TV above.

The 23-year-old said he’s now looking forward to knuckling down and getting on with pre-season training at the True Value Solar Centre.

“I’m really happy to have re-signed for another two years,” Pears said.

“Over the past season the club has stood strong, as a playing group we’ve become tighter and I can’t wait to pull on the red and black again next season.

“We’re really optimistic about the season ahead, we’ve just moved into our new training base and I’m looking forward to getting another full pre-season under my belt.”

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Senior coach Mark ‘Bomber’ Thompson said Tayte is a crucial component of the club’s defensive unit.

“Tayte is a fantastic competitor, he worked extremely hard to earn his spot back in the side this season and with another full summer of training we feel it will really set him up for a chance to play more senior football in 2014,” Thompson said.

“Tayte has been through some extremely challenging injuries and to get back and play some of the football he did this season was really pleasing from a coaching perspective.”

List manager Adrian Dodoro said Pears’ new deal has all but finalised the playing list for next season.

“We are really glad Tayte chose to stay, he’s a WA boy and the opportunities to return home are never easy to turn down, he is a vital member of our defensive group and at 23 years of age we expect his best football is still ahead of him,” Dodoro said.

“With Tayte putting pen to paper that finalises our senior list for 2014, the additions of Chapman, Edwards and Aylett and with two rookie selections still available, we’re excited about where our squad is at heading into next season.”