GEELONG key forward Tom Hawkins has signed a new five-year contract that will keep him at the Cattery until at least the end of the 2020 season, all but ensuring he finishes his career a one-club player.

Hawkins was due to become a free agent at the end of this season, but he has long stated his wish to remain at the Cats and announced the new deal on Thursday morning.

Industry sources have told AFL.com.au the deal is worth about $700,000 a season. 

A father-son selection in the 2006 NAB AFL Draft, Hawkins said he was thrilled to maintain his family link to Geelong.

"I'm very excited to be on the journey with the Geelong football club for the next five years,” Hawkins said.

"It's the club I barracked for when I was younger, it's the club that supported my junior development and it's a club that my family has a rich history of involvement with.

"My family's connection with the club was one of the major reasons why I have stayed here.

"I see the next five years as a big challenge, but I'm excited by the challenge."

Hawkins, who was an All Australian in 2012 and part of the Cats' 2009 and 2011 premiership teams, was the second biggest fish in the 2015 free agency pool, behind star Crow Patrick Dangerfield.

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Hawkins has long been expected to remain with Geelong, however, where his father Jack played 182 games between 1973 and 1981.

Two of Jack Hawkins' brothers and Tom's grandfather on his mother's side also played for Geelong.

"I want to keep the Hawkins-Le Deux legacy going at the footy club for many years to come," Hawkins said.

"I see the next five years as a big challenge, but I'm excited by the challenge."

Hawkins has played 157 games since he made his debut in 2007, kicking 307 goals.

He won the club's best and fairest award in 2012 and has been Geelong's leading goalkicker in each of the past three seasons.

“We value Tom highly at our football club," football manager Steve Hocking said.

"He is an integral leader of the club both on-field and off the field.

“Tom lives the values of our club and has many great years of football ahead of him.

"We look forward to him continuing his career in the blue and white hoops.”