Collingwood captain Nick Maxwell has signed a two-year contract extension, tying him to the Magpies until the end of the 2011 season.

Maxwell, who turns 26 in June, has played 98 matches for Collingwood since making his debut in 2004, and late last year was named the club’s 45th captain, replacing the retired Scott Burns.

Originally overlooked in any draft after representing the Geelong Falcons in Victoria’s TAC Cup under 18 competition in 2001, Maxwell went on to play for North Ballarat in the VFL for one season before being drafted onto Collingwood’s rookie list at the end of 2002.

He was permanently elevated to the senior list at the end of 2004 after making his debut against Adelaide in round nine that season, and has earned a reputation as one of the toughest and most respected players on the Collingwood list.

Maxwell has won a number of club awards, including the Darren Millane Memorial Trophy as best clubman in 2005 and 2007, and the Gavin Brown Award for leading desire indicators in 2007 and 2008.

“The Collingwood Football Club showed me their level of commitment by making me captain, so it was easy for me to show the same level of commitment by signing on until the end of 2011,” Maxwell said.

“To have secured my future is extremely exciting, particularly given I am in the privileged position of leading an outstanding group of players that I feel can be a force in the competition for many years to come.

“We have an excellent spread of leaders, and with quality youth at our disposal, we are confident that a successful era lies ahead.”

Maxwell played the first three games of this season before he was suspended for two weeks for rough conduct. He is set to return to the lead the side this Friday night against North Melbourne.