New Geelong captain Joel Selwood is reportedly the latest AFL star to confirm a long-term contract extension with his club.

A day after Richmond utility Brett Deledio signed a five-year deal, several media reports on Tuesday night had Selwood committing to an agreement that will keep him at the Cats well into his late 20s.

Last week, Essendon tall utility Michael Hurley also signed a lucrative five-year deal and Sydney key forward Sam Reid did the same at the end of last season.

There was never any real risk of Geelong losing Selwood, but a three- or five-year extension will kill off any speculation about his future.

It is understood that Selwood and the club agreed to most of the deal several weeks ago.

Selwood, who turns 24 in May, has excelled since the Cats secured him with the No.7 pick in the 2006 draft.

The midfielder has been a key member of their three premiership teams over the past five seasons.

The two-time All-Australian won Geelong’s 2010 best and fairest award and finished equal-sixth in the club voting last year.

Selwood has played 114 senior games and is renowned as one of the league’s most fearless players.

He was the obvious choice to become Geelong captain when Cameron Ling retired after last year’s grand final win over Collingwood.

The looming threat of Greater Western Sydney has been a major factor in Reid, Hurley, Deledio and now apparently Selwood securing contracts that should ensure they will eventually retire as one-club players.

Barring serious injury, all four will remain crucial members of their teams throughout their new contracts.

Hurley is only 21, Deledio will turn 25 next month and Reid is the “baby” of the star quartet at 20.

Deledio has won two best and fairest awards at Richmond, while Hurley and Reid are two of the best young key position players in the AFL.

Clubs had previously been shying away from signing even their best players to such long-term deals.