ESSENDON has received some good news with confirmation that its No. 1 ruckman David Hille has signed a new two-year contract that will keep him with the club until the end of the 2010 season.

Hille, 26, has been a rare shining light in an otherwise dismal start to 2008 for Essendon, who currently sit third-last on the ladder having lost their last six games.

"David has started off the year really well. He made the Victorian squad (for the Hall of Fame Tribute Match) and was unlucky not to be selected in the final team," said Essendon's chief operating officer Travis Auld.

"As a member of our leadership group, David plays a very important role on and off the field, particularly given the age of our list and the number of younger guys playing senior footy at the moment.

"He seems to enjoy the challenge of leading our younger players, he turns 27 next month and is nearing 150 games with the club.

"We expect him to continue to be an important player for us over the next few years and this new contract is a major boost for the club."

Hille has played 133 games for Essendon since being taken by the club with pick No. 40 in the 1999 National Draft.