Matthew Scharenberg will continue his AFL education at Collingwood after the Magpies fought off rival advances to sign the 19-year-old to a three-year deal.

The running defender, drafted by the AFL powerhouse with pick No.6 in 2013, has committed to Collingwood until the end of the 2018 season.

Scharenberg had a delayed start to his AFL career since joining the Mapgies.

Surgeries on both feet in 2014 was followed by a knee reconstruction from an injury suffered at VFL level, his first year on the Magpies list.

He made his senior debut last month in round 18, finishing the year with four matches including wins over Carlton and Geelong.

The tall teenager, who turns 20 on Friday, is considered a vital part of coach Nathan Buckley’s plans to climb the AFL ladder.

The Magpies finished 12th in 2015 with 10 wins, the fewest of Buckley’s four seasons in charge of the club.