O'Keefe stays a Swan

Sportal - October 20, 2008, 2:55 am

The long-running stand-off between Sydney and Ryan O'Keefe is finally over with the star forward agreeing to play out the rest of his career with the Swans.

O'Keefe originally rejected a new three-year deal to remain with the Swans to instead seek a move back to his native Victoria via the AFL's trade week.

But after a proposed move to Hawthorn fell through after the Hawks and Swans were unable to come up with a suitable trade deal for both parties, O'Keefe's only hope was to then go through to the pre-season draft in December.

But with non-Victorian clubs in West Coast, Fremantle and Port Adelaide having picks two, three and four respectively, O'Keefe's chances of moving to a Victorian club that way also appeared slim.

So with that in mind O'Keefe - who turns 28 in January - has now agreed to a new four-year deal to stay in Sydney.

While the deal has yet to be finalised, Sydney coach Paul Roos announced on Monday that O'Keefe had come to an 'in-principle' agreement to remain with the club.

"We're really pleased Ryan has chosen to stay with the club," Roos said.

"We've always rated him as a quality player an All-Australian and we're delighted he will be lining up with us again next year."

"I think the last few weeks have been difficult for everyone so we are pleased that today's news provides some closure to the matter."

O'Keefe, who was nominated for this year's All-Australian team and who finished equal second in the Swans' 2006 best and fairest award and fifth this season, will begin pre-season training with the rest of the team on November 17.

The 164-game veteran said on Monday he was delighted to have put his contract saga behind him.

"For my part I'm relieved and looking to repay the club and Swans supporters for the faith they have shown in me," O'Keefe said.

"Whilst I did have aspirations to move home to Melbourne, it wasn't to be and I'm more than happy to remain at the Swans, to be with my mates and to live in Sydney."

"I've moved on now and my focus is very much on next season and getting the best out of myself."