CARLTON defender Simon White has signed a fresh two-year deal that will keep him at Ikon Park until at least the end of 2017. 

The Blues have also re-signed rookie Irishman Ciaran Byrne for two more seasons after showing promise in his first two years. 

Football manager Andrew McKay said the club was thrilled to lock away two players with "great character and a tremendous work ethic".

"Simon not only plays a key role for us on the field, but he’s also a teacher and mentor for many of his younger teammates," McKay said.

"Ciaran has shown he can be a really exciting player for us and it’s a credit to him how quickly he’s picked up the game.

"It was really unfortunate he suffered an injury at training the week after making his debut, but we’re looking forward to seeing his development next year with another full pre-season under his belt."

Since being recruited as a mature-aged rookie in 2010, White has played 59 games for Carlton, remarkably recovering from a fractured neck in 2013.  

The 27-year-old was named Carlton’s best clubman this year.

Recruited from County Louth in Ireland, Byrne made his debut in round three this season, just 18 months after he began learning how to play Australian football.

He suffered a hamstring injury, however, and did not play another senior game, managing two more appearances at VFL level.