TAYTE Pears will play on at Essendon next year after signing a new one-year deal with the club.

 

The defender, who was an unrestricted free agent this year, recently agreed to the extension which will take him into a ninth season with the Bombers.

 

The 25-year-old played two games in 2015, having missed nearly two years with injuries.

 

But his position as defensive cover has become more important at Essendon after the retirement of Dustin Fletcher and the departure of Jake Carlisle.

 

Pears makes up the group of four key defenders at new coach John Worfold's disposal, alongside All Australians Michael Hurley and Cale Hooker, and ex-Saint James Gwilt.

 

He has played 70 games for the Bombers between a spate of serious injuries, including pancreas surgery and a navicular problem in his foot. His best return in a season was 23 games in 2009, his second year in the AFL.

 

The Bombers last week delisted Alex Browne and Ariel Steinberg, which meant 11 players from their list have departed this off-season.

 

They brought in Craig Bird via trade from the Sydney Swans and former Brisbane Lions ruckman Matthew Leuenberger as a free agent.

 

Essendon will take a strong hand to this month's NAB AFL Draft, with four selections inside the first 25 picks.