TODD Goldstein has inked a two-year contract extension tying him to North Melbourne until the end of 2016.
The Kangaroos' No.1 ruckman ended months of speculation by recommitting to the club on Thursday.
As a restricted free agent, Goldstein could have explored offers from rival clubs that North would have been obliged to match in order to keep him, but the 201cm big man said he always wanted to remain a Roo.
The 25-year-old received a quick phone call from his agent, Tom Petroro, after walking off the training track at Arden Street on Thursday before confirming he had re-signed.
"It's something we've been working on for a while now, and I think we definitely always said we wanted to stay at the club and it was just about getting the finer details down," Goldstein said.
"When I got the phone call then from Tommy Petroro saying that it was all done it was definitely a massive relief for myself, and I'm really happy to be at the footy club.
"We hadn't spoken to anyone (else). I think we had lots of chats the last few months with the footy club and with Walshy (football director Geoff Walsh) and Cam Joyce (list manager)."
Goldstein, who was third in North's best-and-fairest last year, is confident the club is on the verge of a successful era and said he wanted to be a part of it.
The former Oakleigh Charger has now played 106 games for the Roos since he was selected with pick No.36 overall in the 2006 NAB AFL Draft.
"There's definitely a lot of excitement around the group of what we can achieve," Goldstein said.
"I know what this footy club's about and I love what it's about and that's what I want to be a part of."
Goldstein's attention now turns to taking on Geelong on Friday night – his first regular season battle against ex-teammate Hamish McIntosh, who played 107 games in eight years at Arden Street.
McIntosh joined the Cats on a three-year deal during the 2012 trade period, but missed all of last season due to injury.
"'H' played a massive part of my career, especially early on with him and Dave Hale as well," Goldstein said.
"It was a bit weird coming against him in the NAB Cup (practice match). Obviously that's got nothing compared to what this week's about, but he's a great North person and always will be even though he's at another club.
"I know he was shattered when he had to leave and he's got a lot of good mates here, so it's going to be a different one.
"He obviously knows a lot about us as a footy club and us as individuals so it will definitely throw up a few challenges, but in terms of Friday night it's all guns blazing now."
Twitter: @TravKing_AFL
