MIDFIELD jet Dyson Heppell will line up with Essendon in 2017 after confirming he will play with the Bombers next year.
The 23-year-old's future at the club had been the subject of ongoing speculation after he revealed he was taking legal action against Essendon as a result of his one-year suspension from football for breaching an anti-doping code.
Despite Heppell signing a five-year deal with the Bombers in 2015 that committed him to the club until 2020, it was still considered he could play elsewhere in 2017.
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But Heppell told the club's website on Thursday his passion for Essendon remained strong.
"I'm super excited to have made the decision to continue my career at Essendon, there's no doubt the players and people at the club were a major reason," Heppell said.
"I put a process in place and took my time to make sure I got to a place where I was 100 per cent committed to the football club."
Heppell joins David Myers, Cale Hooker, Travis Colyer and Heath Hocking as the fifth of the 12 suspended Essendon players still on the club's list to confirm his commitment.
Bombers coach John Worsfold said the club was rapt that Heppell wants to continue his career at the club.
"Dyson is invested in the direction and culture we are building at the club. His care for his teammates is unquestionable, and so is his drive to see his side improve and rise to the level we know we need to get to," Worsfold said.
"He's already been named an All Australian and a Crichton medallist, and there's no doubt his best football is still ahead of him. I think Bomber fans should be excited about what's to come from Dyson."
Heppell, who has played 106 games with Essendon, is seen as a future captain of the club.
Seven suspended Bombers, skipper Jobe Watson, Michael Hurley, Tom Bellchambers, Brent Stanton, Tayte Pears, Ben Howlett and Michael Hibberd are yet to make public their intentions for 2017.