Essendon Football Club is pleased to announce Patrick Ambrose has extended his contract for a further season.

The forward turned shut-down defender’s new deal will see him remain a Bomber until the end of 2017.

“I am really looking forward to continuing my career at the Essendon Football Club in 2017,” Ambrose said.

“We have a clear vision at the Club and will continue to challenge ourselves as we strive for sustained success. I am really excited about what we can achieve together.

“I’m enjoying playing my football under Woosha, the playing group is working hard and demanding elite standards of each other, and I’m really excited about what we can achieve together over the coming seasons.

“There are three games to go this season, which gives me three opportunities to improve and work on my role as a defender, and for the playing group we’ll use every minute to develop and get better for next season.”

Senior Coach, John Worsfold, said Ambrose demonstrated great maturity and commitment to making the transition from attack into defence.

“When I arrived at the Club, Patty was renowned as a tough, hard running forward. However his natural athleticism, inner hunger to compete and selfless nature has seen him slot in seamlessly into our backline,” Worsfold said.

“Patty’s a powerful and competitive beast, he’s got a huge engine which has seen him opposing some of the competitions most dangerous forwards, including Jack Riewoldt, Matthew Pavlich and Jeremy Cameron.

“Patty is a heart and soul player who works hard to get everything out of himself. We’re really excited about where we are heading as a Club and to have Patty part of this journey next year is fantastic.”

Ambrose took the less traditional route to the AFL – he played junior football with Ashburton and Xavier College before linking with Coburg in the VFL and reuniting with his school mates at the Old Xaverians in the Victorian Amateur Football Association. He then went on to play in the Essendon VFL team and was recruited to the Bombers in the 2013 Rookie Draft.

Essendon List and Recruiting Manager, Adrian Dodoro, said Ambrose’s development and reliability provided the team with strength both on and off the field.

“Patty is athletic, gives his all and attacks the contest with ferocity. He is competitive and is clearly one of our most consistent performers this season,” Dodoro said.

“Patty has developed into a great clubman, and is highly respected for his strong work ethic and professionalism.

“We are really looking forward to what he will continue to offer the Club next year and we believe he has some of his best football ahead of him.”

Ambrose made his debut in Round 1, 2014 against North Melbourne at Etihad Stadium. The 24 year-old is now fast-approaching his 50-game milestone this season.