Collingwood announced tonight that key defender Lachlan Keeffe has signed a new two-year contract.
 
Keeffe, 22, will be a Magpie until at least the end of 2014, extending his time at Collingwood to seven years.
 
Keeffe was pre-listed by Collingwood as a non-registered player after he was spotted at the AFL Queensland rookie search. Keeffe had only played a handful of games with his school team prior to Collingwood listing him, and he had not had any experience in Australian football prior to 2007.

Find out more about Keeffe's unique journey.

He made his debut in the VFL against Geelong in the latter stages of 2008, and four years of development in the club's VFL team under Gavin Brown and Tarkyn Lockyer culminated in his round 16 debut against North Melbourne in 2011.
 
Keeffe underwent reconstructive surgery to his right knee on Tuesday after injuring it last Saturday in the team’s match against Adelaide and is likely to be sidelined for the remainder of the season.
 
The Queenslander has played an important role in the Collingwood side this year, having played all nine matches and mainly as a key defender in the absence of some more experienced teammates.
 
The announcement of Keeffe’s new contract was made tonight on The Club on FOX FOOTY.