EMERGING defender Luke Ryan has signed a three-year contract extension with Fremantle.

The 23-year-old, who was already contracted for next year, is now tied to the club until the end of the 2023 season.

>> The 2019 NAB AFL Draft runs from November 27-28. Follow all the latest news in the draft hub

Taken at pick No.66 in the 2016 NAB AFL Draft, Ryan has developed into one of the competition's best intercepting defenders.

"I'm very excited to stay with Fremantle," Ryan said.

"I've got my family back home (in Victoria) but when I spoke to them, we came to the conclusion that Fremantle gave me my chance - if it wasn’t for Fremantle I probably wouldn’t have been playing AFL.

"(Before) I was called out with pick 66, I felt it was my last chance and, luckily enough, they called me. I owe it to Fremantle and what they’ve done for me, so I wanted to sign on."

Ryan is looking forward to working with new coach Justin Longmuir.

"Last year, we had a few injuries, especially to Alex Pearce. I think if we’re really fit and strong, I think we can be a top AFL defence, so I’m really excited to see what we can do," Ryan said.

"Justin Longmuir has come in and he’s been really good. He’s really smart and we’ve just got our full squad back training now.

"We’re making a few changes that we’re excited about and we’re looking forward to showing that on the track and seeing how we can improve."