Essendon Football Club is pleased to announce young defender Jason Ashby has re-signed for a further two years.

The new deal will see the 20-year-old remain in the red and black until at least the end of the 2016 season.

Ashby made his debut against Carlton in Round 3 this year and has since played a further four senior games. He was drafted from the Oakleigh Chargers as Essendon’s second-round selection at the 2012 National Draft.

Ashby told Bomber TV he was thrilled to agree to the new terms with the Bombers.

“It was a really easy decision, we have a great bunch of guys at the club and I couldn’t be happier,” Ashby said.

“I’m in a rush to break back in to the senior side and play some more senior games this season, but just to be here for another two years is exciting and hopefully we have some team success in the near future.”

Senior coach Mark Thompson said Ashby was taking the right steps towards playing regular, senior football.

“Jase put in some really good training over the pre-season and was rewarded for the hard work with his debut earlier this year,” Thompson said.

“He is young and he knows he has elements of his game he has to continue to work on. We've had that discussion with Jase and I know he'll take that advice on board, apply it, and if he does it right, there's no reason he can't play regular senior football.”