The Adelaide Football Club has locked in one of its midfield stars, with Rory Sloane putting pen to paper to commit to the club for a further three years.

The contract locks away the 2013 club champion until at least the end of 2018, and solves a major headache for the Crows, who were faced with the prospect of both Sloane and free agent Patrick Dangerfield returning home to Victoria at season’s end.

St Kilda had already publicly flagged its interest in securing the 25-year-old member of the Crows’ leadership group, but Sloane said he was “thrilled” to re-sign, having been in “constant talks with (Adelaide)”.

“I have said many times before how much I respect and love this club and in particular the playing group,” Sloane said.

“There is no doubt success lies ahead.”

Crows Head of Football David Noble said Sloane’s signing reflected the player’s optimism and confidence in the club’s direction under first-year coach Phil Walsh.

“Anyone who has met Rory knows he is an outstanding individual and everyone at our club holds him in the highest regard as a person, player and leader,” said Noble.

“We are thrilled that he is here for the long haul and our push towards a return to finals and future success.”

Crows senior coach Phil Walsh said the tough ball-winner “epitomises the type of person we want at the Adelaide Football Club”.

“He lives by elite standards and inspires others to do the same and you can always count on him to get the job done,” said Walsh.

The club’s focus will now be on retaining in-demand Dangerfield, who returned to his hometown of Moggs Creek, near Geelong, during the week. He’s expected to court lucrative offers from the Cats, along with a host of other Victorian clubs, but has publicly maintained he won’t make a decision on his playing future until season’s end.