Although the former first round draftee has long been linked at inking an extension, Max King officially put pen to paper on a four-year deal with St Kilda.

The reportedly rich deal will see the local talent remain at his boyhood club until after the completion of the 2026 season and his 26th birthday.

Prior to this new agreement, King was still contracted to the club until the end of the 2022.

Despite his age (20) and relative inexperience at the level (30 games), King has been the Saints' prime target inside 50, having taken 58 grabs inside the arc across his two-years in the competition.

In a statement released by the club on Saturday morning, the head of list management at Moorabbin James Gallagher heaped praise on the level-headed forward.

“We’re thrilled to have Max commit to the club for the long term,” he said.

“Max is obviously a talented player and is already performing at a very high level considering this is only his second year of AFL Football. He is also a very driven young man, and we are extremely confident he’ll only continue to grow into an elite key forward in the coming years.

“There’s a lot of external expectation that has been placed on his shoulders, but the way he’s handled it – even before he was drafted – is a credit to his maturity and diligence.”

King has attracted attention this season for his inaccuracy in front of goal, as his 38 scoring shots have only registered 16 majors. However, the Sandringham Dragons product did manage more than a goal a game - 22 from 18 - across the condensed 2020 season.

St Kilda's football operations assistant and Hawthorn legend Jarryd Roughead explained that although King is far from the finished product, his effect on games has been conspicuous.

“Working alongside Max for the past two years, I’ve been able to see how much he’s grown and the work he puts in behind the scenes,” Roughead said.

“What’s really promising is how Max is influencing the game, either by taking marks, bringing the ball to ground or hitting the scoreboard, and we know the best is yet to come.

“These key position players take time to develop but overall, we are really happy with where Max is at and where he’s heading.”

After playing every game possible since returning from ACL surgery, King and his Saints will enjoy the bye this week before taking on the Tigers at the MCG in Round 15.