Roosters round up halfback Pearce to stay on until end 2017 season

SYDNEY Roosters have secured the signature of Mitchell Pearce on a four-year contract, keeping the halfback at the club until the end of the 2017 season.

Mitchell Pearce

SYDNEY Roosters have secured the signature of Mitchell Pearce on a four-year contract, keeping the halfback at the club until the end of the 2017 season.

Pearce, who joined the club as a 16 year old in the Jersey Flegg competition, was named as a vice captain in the team's leadership group this year ahead of his seventh first grade season.

While there was some interest from other NRL clubs late last year, particularly St George Illawarra, Pearce said he never seriously considered leaving.

"I feel right at home here," he said.

"We've got a great roster now, and the new additions this year certainly make things exciting and I can't wait to get started."

That roster includes names like Sonny Bill Williams, James Maloney and Michael Jennings; game-changing players who will be able to take some of the pressure off Pearce.

After a number of off-field incidents last year Pearce said he had made an effort to get a "fresh head" and change his lifestyle.

"I'm just trying to be more professional... the whole club is," he said.

"I've definitely been quieter. I definitely partied a bit too hard last year and stuff like that, but I've put that behind me, you learn from your mistakes and hopefully this year shows the results of that hard work."

After finishing near the bottom of the NRL ladder last year, Pearce said the Roosters now had the squad to get closer to silverware.

"Top four sounds great. We want to be a top eight team it's a failure if we're not in the top eight."