EXCITING Sydney rookie Joel Amartey will remain at the club in 2019 after netting himself a one-year contract extension.
Amartey, who turns 19 in September, was the Swans' 28th pick at last year's NAB AFL rookie Draft.
The athletic forward/ruck option has been impressive in the NEAFL this year kicking 12.12 from 12 appearances, with his marking ability inside 50 a constant feature of his game.
The Victorian told sydneyswans.com.au that having the security of another 12 months at the club was extremely reassuring.
"It's a great feeling just knowing the coaching staff are backing me to keep improving and they believe in me and in what I can do on the field," he said.
"That gives me a little more confidence to play the way I play and hopefully we can get some more wins on the board.
"I was pretty surprised with the extension. Getting to the middle of the season I was a bit anxious about what would happen next year. I’m just relieved with the good news.
"Mum and dad were really excited. Being from Melbourne, they were pretty worried about what would happen next year, so they were really relieved to hear the great news too."
Amartey's kicking for goal has let him down on occasions this season but he's a talented prospect and will only reap the benefits of training alongside superstar teammate Lance Franklin for another year.