Western Bulldogs star forward Jamarra Ugle-Hagan has signed a new deal, putting pen to a two-year extension to stay at Whitten Oval.

Coming out of contract at the cessation of the 2024 season, Ugle-Hagan’s signature was going to be highly sought after, with Sydney, Collingwood, Hawthorn, Essendon and Richmond rumoured to be throwing mammoth deals at the young star.

Amid plenty of interest from rival clubs, the 22-year-old opted to stay at the club that has “looked after me since I was 15 years old with the Next Generation Academy”.

“I’m really excited to be staying here,” Ugle-Hagan said.

“The Western Bulldogs have looked after me since I was 15 years old with the Next Generation Academy. Ever since then, I have just fallen in love with the Club and it just feels like I’m at home.

“The boys make me feel like we’re a big family … everyone has been amazing since I walked in the doors. The best thing about our job is that we get to go into work every day with our best mates and train and compete with them.”

Bulldogs’ General Manager of List and Recruiting Sam Power couldn’t have been more pleased to secure the signature of the forward.

“We’re really excited as a football club that Jamarra has re-signed,” Power said.

“Having been a part of the Bulldogs since the age of 15, Jamarra has built a strong affiliation with the red, white and blue and is seen as a huge part of our future.

“His exciting attributes in the air and ability to impact games at such a young age are qualities that should excite our fans during the next stage of his career.

“Jamarra committing his next two years to the Club is a positive show of faith in what we’re continuing to build and the environment we’re creating.”

Ugle-Hagan’s re-signing at the club means its list management team and coaching staff will turn their attention to keeping ruckman Tim English and midfielder Bailey Smith, with the latter still tending to an anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) injury that will keep him sidelined until 2025.

English has been speculated to be on the verge of recommitting to the club despite the likely interest from his home state Western Australia.

The Bulldogs have had a mixed start to 2024 and will be looking to return to the winner’s list as they face Hawthorn at Marvel Stadium on Sunday afternoon.