Former Canadian rugby international Mike Pyke will remain with Sydney for at least the next two years after signing a new contract with Sydney.
The 26-year-old, who played 20 Tests for Canada before moving to the Harbour City in 2008 to try out as an international rookie, has played 20 matches for the Swans since making his debut in Round 6 last year, including 12 in a row since returning to the side in Round 7 this season.
Elevated to the senior list then following the serious ankle injury suffered by Mark Seaby and having now re-committed to the club, Pyke is confident of continuing his rapid improvement since his arrival in Australia.
"I am really happy. It gives me an opportunity to feel settled in Sydney and I'm very excited to be put on the senior list. That is something I'm quite proud to have achieved in the last couple of years,"- Pyke said.
"Now I need to work on having a sustained impact in games."
"I've had patches this season where I've been contributing quite well, and patches where I go missing a little bit."
"I've showed that I'm capable of playing, but to become really successful you have to do more than that, and that's what I'll be working on in the next two years."
Coach Paul Roos has been so impressed that he believes Pyke no longer looks out of place out on the field.
"This year, if someone came to their first game, you'd have to point out that this is a Canadian rugby player now playing AFL football, and that's the biggest compliment you can give Pykey," Roos said.
Swans general manager of football Dean Moore said the club had little hesitation offering Pyke a new deal.
"He has improved significantly this year and we believe that progress will continue," Moore said.
"Mike's transition to the AFL is an extraordinary achievement, and testament not only to his athletic abilities but to his determination and strong character."
For the man he replaced, former Eagles' big man Seaby, the news isn't so rosy. Having seriously injured his ankle in Round 6, Seaby was expected to return late this season.
However, the 26-year-old was forced to have another operation on the injury earlier this week and will not play again until 2011.