HAWTHORN defender Josh Gibson has extended his contract until the end of 2015.

The 2013 best and fairest winner was contracted until the end of next year but after a career-best season has wasted no time in extending his stay at the Club.

“I’m very pleased to sign with the Hawks until the end of 2015,” he told hawthornfc.com.au

“They’ve been very good to me since I’ve arrived at the Club and I’m really happy we could extend my contract.”

Since arriving at Hawthorn via a trade with North Melbourne at the end of 2009, Gibson has become one of the league’s premier defenders and one of the best spoilers in the game.

He was the runaway winner of the Peter Crimmins Medal after a consistent season and then outstanding finals series in which he was a valuable contributor and key factor in the premiership win.

Gibson is known as one of the game’s most selfless players and underlined that reputation this year - ranked number one at the Club for one percenters.

But, it was his development as an attacking weapon as well as his defensive attributes that highlighted his improvement as a player, averaging 18.2 disposals per game.

“It was probably my most consistent year,” he said.

“What I wanted to take out of this year was to be more consistent than 2011 and 2012 and I felt like I did that from week to week.”

A Hawthorn supporter as a kid, there was nothing more special though, despite his undoubted move into the league’s elite defenders than winning a premiership with the club he loves.

“It’s always nice to get to play for the club you barracked for as a kid,” he said.

“Footy is such a big part of my life and Hawthorn has been a big part of my life since I was young so the Club means so much to me.

“I was really honoured and it was so special to be able to play in a premiership this year for the Hawks.”