WEST Coast has locked away gun ruckman Nic Naitanui for a further three years.

Naitanui, 29, is now contracted until the end of 2022.

It's a double dose of good news, after his sparkling return from a right knee reconstruction in the WAFL on Saturday. 

NIC NAT'S BACK Star Eagle impresses in WAFL return

Naitanui has lined up in 161 career games and the spring-heeled big man has a penchant for producing the extraordinary, whether it be with brilliant tapwork or towering marks.

While his sights have been fixed firmly on getting back to the field and helping his teammates deliver another flag, Naitanui was excited to have signed a new deal.

"It's certainly a comfort to have the contract completed," Naitanui told westcoasteagles.com.au.

"My management team has been negotiating the contract extension behind the scenes while I have been entirely focused on my return.

"I knew that was going on in the background, but for me it has been more about getting back to play footy.

"It's really exciting. The club has been very good to me throughout my career and I'm looking forward to playing my part in the second half of the season and in the coming years."

He had been an unrestricted free agent, meaning another club could have poached him for nothing.

Eagles football manager Craig Vozzo spoke of the 2012 All Australian's importance is to the Eagles.

"Obviously Nic is a really important player for us on a number of fronts, so it was important to lock him in for another three years," Vozzo said.

"Everyone knows what he can do on the field, but he's an integral part of everything we do.

"He is held in the highest regard by his peers, and that was evident when we announced during that week the Nic would return to play this weekend. Every player on the squad knows what he has been through to get himself to this point and they are thrilled for him.

"We took a conservative approach to his recovery from a knee injury. It's pleasing that he had a good hitout against East Fremantle and we will now build his game time and his match hardness over the back end of the season."

Naitanui is primed for a senior recall against Hawthorn next Saturday at the MCG.