"I DO some silly things, but I'd be pretty silly to leave this club. We're on the way up, mate, so there's no way I was going to leave."

The voice of the one and only Brendan Fevola, announcing on Thursday he was staying with the Blues after signing a new three-year deal.

Securing Fevola's signature had been talked about for months, before Carlton indicated last week that discussions had been put on hold until after the season.

But that simply gave the club and Fevola's management some clear air to get the deal done, and the 27-year-old said he was relieved to have finally locked it away.

"It's such a relief to get it done now and not wait until the end of the year," he said. "It's a huge relief and I'm just so rapt that the club's shown faith in me for the next three years.

"The way we've been playing on the field it looks like it's going to be a pretty successful three years, and I'm just rapt."

Despite speculation about a move to the Sydney Swans at season's end, a rumour dismissed by Fevola and Swans coach Paul Roos, the flamboyant full-forward said his sole intention had been to stay with the Blues.

"I was never going to leave Carlton," Fevola said. "Carlton's been my home for 10 years, it's like a family here.

"I always said once I got my name on that locker you're etched in history, and to be a one-club player meant everything to me.

"You look at the NRL, where players go everywhere, here, there, and I've always wanted to stay here.

"The changes that have come around to this club at the moment is phenomenal compared to the last couple of years.

"This club's just on the way up, so it's exciting times."

However, Fevola admitted he was surprised to learn the deal had been done.

"I didn't really realise they were still talking – I came off the track yesterday (Wednesday) at training and had a missed call from Mark (Kleiman), my manager, and I rang him up and he said everything's ready to go," he said.

"So I obviously rang my wife and we're pretty happy.

"I came in today and it's done, so I'm rapt."

Carlton coach Brett Ratten was also thrilled with the news that Fevola, the club's leading goalkicker of the last five years, had formalised his commitment.

"Brendan is a wonderful talent and obviously an important part of our team," he told carltonfc.com.au. "His goalkicking is highlighted by the media and supporters but this is only one part of his game.

"His ability to work for his teammates and apply forward line pressure are other areas that make him an important team player for Carlton and will be significant for the team going forward."

Fevola has kicked 75 goals from 17 games in 2008, and has played 159 matches for Carlton since his 1999 debut.