FREMANTLE has jumped early to secure promising but luckless defender Alex Pearce, re-signing the young Docker for a further two seasons.

Pearce, who last played in round nine, 2016, had one year remaining on his contract but has put pen to paper on a new deal that will take him through to the end of 2020.

After two seasons ruined by a broken leg, the 22-year-old is on track to return at the start of the 2018 season and said there was no reason for him to delay extending his time with the Dockers.

"I'm really enjoying being around the club at the moment and I have a lot I want to achieve personally and with the club as well," Pearce told the club's website.

In full training since early December, Pearce shapes as a key cog in the Dockers' rebuild.

The 200cm defender excited in 13 games in 2015 and continued his rise in 2016 before breaking his right leg in round nine.

He re-injured the same leg during the 2017 pre-season, wiping out the entire year and resulting in a 560-day spell in rehab before finally joining the main training group last month.

The Tasmanian, who was recruited with pick No.37 in the 2013 NAB AFL Draft, had shown great leadership during his injury-riddled time with Fremantle. 

"We are thrilled to have Alex extend his contract for two more seasons," list manager Brad Lloyd said.

"Alex is an important player for our growing playing list for the seasons ahead.

"He has shown some genuine leadership qualities that have developed in the time that he has been at the football club and we look forward to seeing him in action over the coming years."