BRISBANE vice-captain Daniel Rich will be a Lion for life after signing a bumper five-year contract extension.

In a deal understood to be worth up to $3 million, the 25-year-old will be at the Gabba until the end of the 2021 season.

Rich’s manager Paul Connors was in Queensland last week to finalise terms which were signed off on Wednesday.

“I love it here in Brisbane. I love the club, I love the boys. It was a no-brainer,’’ Rich said.

“The recent re-signings speak for themselves. There has been a lot of guys in the past six to 18 months sign on and not just the leaders but also the young, emerging guys as well.’’

Brisbane have re-signed three vice-captains – Rich, Pearce Hanley and Dayne Zorko – since the end of the 2015 season.

A total of 11 players and senior coach Justin Leppitsch have recommitted to the Lions over summer.

Small forward Josh Green is expected to be the next player to re-sign.

Captain Tom Rockliff is also keen to start talks to extend his time at the Gabba despite not being out of contract until the end of 2017.

Rich has played 122 senior games with Brisbane since his stunning debut season in 2009 when he won the AFL’s Rising Star award.

By his own admission, Rich had a poor 2015 after missing most of 2014 with a knee reconstruction.

However, a return to the midfield after a season playing off the halfback flank and a cross-training program for the Noosa Triathlon last November have revitalised the WA product.

He has been a standout on the training track with his running going to another level.

Rich will again be a vital part of the Lions midfield this season with his raking left boot capable of breaking lines and giving Brisbane’s emerging key forwards precious quick delivery.

Ahead of the Round 1 clash with West Coast at Perth’s Domain Stadium on Sunday, Brisbane will head west on Saturday.

The Lions have travelled to Perth two days before games in the past but have rejigged their schedule.

They will not catch the “red eye’’ home on Sunday either, preferring to depart on Monday to keep sleep patterns relatively normal during a short six-day turnaround before the Round 2 home game against North Melbourne on April 2.

Despite Queensland missing the Sheffield Shield final, the Lions will still get just two to three training sessions on the Gabba next week before the clash with the Kangaroos.