St Kilda speedster Darcy Wilson has penned a fresh two-year contract, locking him in at Moorabbin until the end of 2028.
It’s understood the deal will be confirmed as early as this week, with Wilson earning a significant pay rise across the next two seasons.
Though there had been interest in him across the year, Wilson had always wanted to remain at St Kilda.
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Almost every other club had asked the question of his management, only to be met with the same response: Thank you, but for now we intend to negotiate with the Saints.
The pick No.18 from the 2024 national draft officially signed in recent days.
The soon-to-be 21-year-old has played 59 games across three seasons at the Saints, and earlier this year was linked to Geelong and North Melbourne.
It took some by surprise last year when Wilson was dropped to the VFL – he spent three games at that level – but this season he has cemented his place in Ross Lyon’s best team, playing 18 of a possible 19 matches.
Last week he was battling sickness, but recovered to gather 28 disposals and kick one goal in the club’s 31-point win.
Locking him in will allow the club to soon refocus its energies on convincing Nasiah Wanganeen-Milera to remain beyond the end of 2027.
Both St Kilda and his agent David Trotter from Hemisphere Management declined to confirm the news.
His signature comes on the same day as spearhead Max King was ruled out for the season with a hamstring strain.
In other news, Irish born 18-year-old Kobe McDonald will land in Australia later this week to begin his football career.
He helped County Mayo break its 75-year course, winning its first All-Ireland title.
The Saints plan to play him in the VFL before the season is out, having signed him last year.
McDonald is moving out to Melbourne with his parents.
