Western Bulldogs defender Jason Johannisen has recommitted to the Club for the next five seasons.

Johannisen, who was out of contract at the end of the 2017 season, has agreed to terms on a deal which will keep him at Victoria University Whitten Oval until at least the end of the 2022 season.

Western Bulldogs List Manager Jason McCartney said that the Club was pleased to see the 24-year-old extend his stay at the kennel.

“Jason is not only a key member of our playing group but a quality individual who is a big part of the future of the Western Bulldogs,” McCartney said.

“To reach the heights he has after coming off the rookie list is a credit to not only his talent and work ethic, but at just 24, we think there’s also still plenty of improvement in him.

“We’ve seen ‘JJ’ grow in leaps and bounds over the past few years, and we’re looking forward to watching him continue to develop as a player and a person at our football club.”

Johannisen was taken with the 39^th pick of 2010 AFL Rookie Draft and made his debut against North Melbourne in Round 19, 2012, playing 27 games over the next three seasons.

Under Luke Beveridge, the South African born Johannisen began to flourish as one of the League’s most dangerous attacking half-backs, and was awarded the Norm Smith Medal for his best on ground performance in the 2016 AFL Grand Final.

The Western Australian is the latest in a long line of players to commit to the Club long term, with Johannisen joining Kieran Collins, Lewis Young, Patrick Lipinski, Clay Smith, Marcus Adams, Tim English, Bailey Williams and Fletcher Roberts to have re-signed in 2017.