TAYTE Pears will be a Bomber for the next two seasons after penning a new deal with the club.
The contract has been in the works for some time and was cleared on Monday, confirming his commitment to Essendon to the end of 2015.
The key defender played 11 games in 2013, but struggled to find a spot consistently in the club's defence.
He is likely to play more next season as Dustin Fletcher nears the end of his long career.
The 23-year-old, who has played 68 games, was the final player on Essendon's senior list to re-sign.
Pears joins a long list of players who have recommitted to the Bombers despite their tortuous year, including captain Jobe Watson, Dyson Heppell, Jake Carlisle, Cale Hooker, Tom Bellchambers and Jake Melksham.
The West Australian, who made his debut in 2008, had a terrific start to his career before enduring some big injury battles.
He needed surgery on his pancreas in 2010 before suffering a navicular fracture in his foot, which had complications as he returned from surgery.
"Tayte is a fantastic competitor, he worked extremely hard to earn his spot back in the side this season and with another full summer of training we feel it will really set him up for a chance to play more senior football in 2014," Essendon coach Mark Thompson said.
"Tayte has been through some extremely challenging injuries and to get back and play some of the football he did this season was really pleasing from a coaching perspective."
