ADELAIDE defender Rory Laird is on the verge of signing a three-year contract extension.

Foxfooty.com.au understands negotiations are in the final stages and fans can expect an announcement before the midway point of the season at the latest.

Laird comes out of contract at the end of 2018 and, despite several advances from predominantly Victorian-based clubs, it’s understood the 24-year-old — who is a native South Australian — never seriously contemplated leaving West Lakes.

The new contract is expected to keep Laird at Adelaide until the end of 2021.

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It will allow the club’s list management staff to focus its energy on retaining restricted free agent Rory Sloane and unrestricted free agents Richard Douglas, David Mackay and Andy Otten, plus out of contract forward Tom Lynch.

Laird’s impending signature will be a significant win for a club that has lost Jake Lever, Charlie Cameron and Patrick Dangerfield in recent years.

Laird enjoyed an outstanding 2017 season in which he was named on the half-back flank in the All-Australian team.

He led the AFL in effective disposals and finished seventh in rebound 50s.

The former rookie was one of two general defenders in the league that Champion Data rated elite for disposals, contested possessions, uncontested possessions and intercept possessions.

But 2017 was not a breakout season for Laird, rather it was in 2015 where he first made his mark, where he played all 24 games for the club.

He finished runner-up in the best and fairest in that year and third in 2017.

Lard was selected with Pick 5 in the 2012 rookie draft and debuted in 2013.

He amassed an equal career-high 40 touches against Essendon in Friday night’s two-goal loss at Etihad Stadium.