DESPITE growing speculation he wanted out, Melbourne midfielder Aaron Davey has signed a new deal that will keep him at the club until the end of 2013.

The Demons confirmed in a statement on Wednesday afternoon that Davey, 26, had agreed to terms after the best season of his six-year career.

It had been reported that Davey had also been offered a four-year contract to join his younger brother, Alwyn, at Essendon.

After hamstring and heel injuries limited him to 15 matches last year, Davey played every game in 2009 to take his career tally to 119 and is expected to figure strongly in the club's best-and-fairest count next month.

Melbourne list manager Tim Harrington said the club was pleased to retain Davey, who will enter 2010 as the Demons' fifth-most experienced player.

"He is a player who is held in high regard and is a big part of the club's future success," he said.

"Aside from his obvious playing talents, Aaron's leadership qualities are first class.

"His work, particularly with our young group of indigenous players, has been outstanding and has gone a long way to contributing to the success of players such as Liam Jurrah."

Originally rookie-listed, Davey burst onto the AFL scene in 2004 and made such an impression that a Melbourne coterie group raised the funds to see his elevation to the senior list.