GOLD Coast leader Michael Rischitelli has been rewarded for an outstanding season with a one-year contract extension.

 

Utility Luke Russell has also signed on for a further two seasons as the Suns continue to shore up their list.

 

Rischitelli, 28, looked at the crossroads of his career following a horrid 2012 and 2013, dogged by ankle and then hamstring tendonitis injuries.

 

He was restricted to just 25 games over the two years, but the vice-captain rewarded the Suns with a terrific bounce-back 2014 in which he played 21 games and averaged 19 disposals.

 

AFL.com.au revealed that Rischitelli was closing in on a new deal earlier this month.

Crowned the most professional player at the Suns' Club Champion awards night earlier in the month, Rischitelli is one of the most respected players at the club.

 

Rischitelli said he was rapt to continue his career on the Gold Coast.

 

"I'm really excited about the future and where the club is heading," he said.

 

"We have a unique team, we know we still have plenty of improvement and hard work ahead of us and hopefully we'll reap the benefits of that in the coming years."

 

Russell, 22, was one of 12 17-year-olds to join the Suns during the club's establishment phase and has played 56 games in his first four seasons

 

"I'm rapt to have re-signed, the club has been really good to me and I plan to repay them in the future," he said.

 

"I definitely feel as though we are on our way to building something pretty special.

 

"We are all pretty close and are maturing together… and we are committed to delivering success."