EVERGREEN defender Sean Dempster will extend his career into a 14th season next year after re-signing with St Kilda.

Dempster, 31, was due to become a restricted free agent at the end of this season but on Thursday morning St Kilda announced he had signed a new one-year deal.

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The 2012 All Australian, who played his 200th AFL game last round against Fremantle, has again led the Saints' defence this year, playing all 18 games to date. 

Dempster has shown no signs of slowing down in recent years and, if anything, has been in career-best form. Since 2011, he has finished a career-best third in St Kilda's best and fairest award three times (2011, 2012 and 2014) and seventh in 2013. 

The 2005 premiership player said he had always intended to play on in 2016 with the Saints. 

"There have been some exciting things happening at the club this year and a really good feeling around the place," Dempster said.

"We have a lot of quality young players coming through, particularly in the backline and I am thrilled to be a part of the group for at least another year."

St Kilda coach Alan Richardson said Dempster remained an important part of the club's plans for 2016 and beyond. 

"Sean is a real leader of our team. His professionalism and preparation is a wonderful example for our young players to follow," Richardson said.

"He is the classic case of a player who leads by actions rather than words and we are very happy to have him sign on for another year."

No current player has played in more Grand Finals than Dempster, who played in the 2005 and 2006 premiership deciders with the Sydney Swans before returning to the game's biggest stage in 2009 and 2010 (the draw and the replay) with St Kilda.

Dempster played 54 games for the Swans from 2005-07 before he and Adam Schneider were traded to St Kilda in the 2007 trade period in exchange for pick No.26.