KEY defender Hugh Goddard has become the latest in a string of Saints to sign new contracts after agreeing to a two-year extension.

The new deal will keep Goddard at St Kilda until at least the end of 2018.

His signing follows a flood of post-season re-signings including Sam Fisher, Jack Lonie, Darren Minchington, Brenton Payne and Lewis Pierce.The strong-bodied left footer, who was selected with pick no.21 in the 2014 National Draft, played the last eight games of the year after developing his craft in the VFL throughout the first half of the season.

In the last match of the year against West Coast at Domain Stadium, he drifted forward and kicked his first AFL goal. 

Goddard said he was delighted to have put pen to paper.

"I have loved my first year with the club and couldn't think of a better place to play my footy," Goddard told SAINTS.com.au.

"It's been a dream come true to learn off guys like Nick Riewoldt and Sam Fisher. We have a really exciting young core group of players coming through and good times are ahead.

"We're all striving in the one direction and working as hard as we can every day to achieve our goals. We know we have a long way to go but I think 2016 was a step in the right direction."

St Kilda COO Ameet Bains said Goddard's signing was a positive step forward for the Saints.

"Hugh is someone we have rated very highly since before he joined the club. We were delighted that he was still available at pick 21 in last year's draft and ever since then he has impressed everyone with his professionalism and his approach to his football," Bains said.

"To have him commit to the club in this way is another strong indication that our young group is committed to building towards a bright future."