Essendon midfielder Jason Johnson has agreed to a new two-year deal with the club. Johnson's current contract ends at the completion of this season and he, along with his management, has been negotiating a new deal with the club since midway through this season.

""We are delighted that Jason will be at Windy Hill for the next two seasons and I'm sure all Essendon supporters hope well into the future. He has been an outstanding player in the past three seasons and this new deal rewards him for his efforts,"" Essendon chief executive Peter Jackson said.

""Jason puts a high price on playing football for Essendon. This is reflected by his attitude both on and off the field. He has shown himself to be a fine leader, particularly given the injury problems some of our senior midfielders have suffered,"" Jackson said.

Johnson scored a runaway win in the 2001 Crichton Medal and is again expected to figure prominently when votes are counted for season 2002. Originally from the Calder Cannons, Johnson has played 84 games for Essendon. He has missed just one match in the past three years. This season he has averaged 22 possessions per game.