By Sam McClure
Young St Kilda forward Max King has agreed to a huge four-year contract extension that will keep him at the club until at least the end of 2026.
King, who is not yet 21, was already contracted until the end of 2022 but the club has moved to lock away their key forward on a long-term deal.
A club source told The Age the contract was agreed to a week ago, just days before King dominated Geelong in the air but managed only 1.5 in front of goal.
The four-year extension is worth more than $3 million.
The new contract just needs to be ticked off by the St Kilda board before it can be formally announced.
Max King is staying with the Saints for the long term after inking a contract extension. Credit: Getty Images
Max, along with his twin brother Ben King, are two of the most sought-after young forwards in the league.
Ben’s club Gold Coast has long been wary of St Kilda’s strong desire to have both brothers play together at Moorabbin.
Saints CEO Matt Finnis told 3AW radio on Friday that Ben “would look good” in a St Kilda jumper.
The Suns moved to lock him away until the end of 2022 while Ben was in just his second year.
Max - who started his career slightly later than his brother because of a knee injury - has kicked 35 goals in his first 26 games.
Star Gold Coast forward, and Max’s twin, Ben King.Credit: Getty Images
Ben has kicked 67 goals in 40 games, having played in just eight wins.
The brothers are extremely close and played all their junior football together, both at club level and at school.
Max and Ben turn 21 in July.
The man who wore the famous number 12 before him - Nick Riewoldt - said earlier in the year it was no surprise that King was developing so early in his career.
“I’ve got my ear to the ground here and know how certain guys go about their work, and everything that I hear is that he’s a really diligent, professional person who wants to get the best out of himself,” Riewoldt said.
King received a coach’s vote from Brett Ratten in Friday night’s loss to Geelong, despite his horribly inaccurate kicking.
Despite kicking just one goal and five behinds, King took 10 marks, four of which were contested and he was directly involved in nine scores.
Essendon great Matthew Lloyd, who coached the twins at school, said on Monday that Max was an “ultimate professional” and Lloyd had few concerns that his goal-kicking woes would continue to haunt him.