Hawthorn star Jarryd Roughead will end his outstanding AFL career as a one-club player after signing a two-year contract extension.

The three-time premiership tall utility is now committed to the Hawks until the end of 2018, when he will be 31.

Roughead, one of Hawthorn’s most important and popular players, would have become eligible for unrestricted free agency at the end of 2016.

He has played 207 games since Hawthorn took him with the second pick in the 2004 national draft.

Roughead won the Coleman Medal last year as the leading AFL goalkicker and has made the last two All-Australian teams.

“It’s safe to say that at 31, when this deal does expire, it might be hard for free agency,” Roughead told the club website.

“To be able to lock it away now and say that I’m here until the end of 2018 when I’m 31 is a very good thing for myself and hopefully for the footy club as well.

“It was a good chance for me to get it out of the way now and not have to worry when I turn 28 that I’m a free agent and all the publicity that comes with it.”