St George Illawarra have announced that front-rower Josh Kerr has re-signed with the Dragons for a further three seasons.
Kerr's extension will see him remain at the Red V until at least the end of the 2023 NRL Telstra Premiership season.
The two-time Indigenous All Stars representative has made 17 first grade appearances to date, including all 10 games so far in 2020.
Kerr said he was thankful to earn the long-term extension with the Red V.
"This new deal is something I've been working towards for a while now. To extend my time with the Dragons for another three years is what dreams are made of," Kerr said.
"I've been at the Dragons almost four years now, and the culture that's been built in that period has been incredible. To be sticking around is something special. I feel at home.
"I'm very grateful for everything the Dragons have done for me. It's been a long and tough journey but the club, Mary (coach Paul McGregor), the coaching and performance staff have stuck by me and shown a lot of faith in me," he added.
"I'm lucky that I have been able to start repaying them now [on the field]. It's time now to keep chipping away at my craft and make sure I'm getting better every week."
Director of rugby league pathways and list management Ian Millward said Kerr's extension will eventuate in the 24-year-old becoming a cornerstone of the club's forward pack in the years to come.
"Josh has real character about him off the field and we are very excited that he has made this commitment to the Dragons. All through negotiations it was clear he wanted to remain with the club despite the interest from numerous clubs," Millward said.
"He's been in our organisation for three seasons now and every season we have seen improvement in him. He's now receiving more minutes as a regular in our first grade team and we're extremely pleased to tie him up.
"Josh is one of the quickest forwards in our squad and with all the rule changes occurring this season too, it's become increasingly noticeable the impact he has had on quickening our ruck given his ability to play the ball quickly."
Kerr's retention follows the re-signings of Jackson Ford, Mikaele Ravalawa, Zac Lomax and Adam Clune so far throughout the Dragons' 2020 campaign.
