STAR forward Tom Hawkins looks set to be a Cat for life after signing a five-year deal that will keep him at the club until the end of the 2020 season.

The new contract, which will take him through to the age of 32, was announced on Thursday morning.

"It's taken its time, but I'm very happy with the decision that I've made along with my family, friends and my partner Emma," Hawkins said in an exclusive interview with CatsTV.

"I'm very excited to be on the journey with the Geelong Football Club for the next five years.

"It's the club I barracked for when I was younger, it's the club that supported my junior development and it's a club that my family has a rich history of involvement with.

"My grandfather on my mother's side played for the Cats, and my father and two of his brothers played here.

"My family's connection with the club was one of the major reasons why I have stayed here.

"I want to keep the Hawkins-Le Deux legacy going at the footy club for many years to come.

"I see the next five years as a big challenge, but I'm excited by the challenge."

Hawkins joined Geelong as a father-son selection in the 2006 national draft.

Since then, he has played 157 games and kicked 307 goals.

He was part of the Cats' premierships in 2009 and 2011, then won the 'Carji' Greeves Medal and was selected in the All Australian team in 2012.

He has been Geelong's leading goalkicker in each of the past three seasons.

“We value Tom highly at our football club," Geelong football manager Steve Hocking said.

"He is an integral leader of the club both on-field and off the field.

“Tom lives the values of our club and has many great years of football ahead of him.

"We look forward to him continuing his career in the blue and white hoops.”

To watch the full interview with Tom Hawkins click on the video player at the top of the page