Richmond Tigers superstar Dustin Martin has become one of the richest sportsman in the country after signing a whopping $8million contract with the club.
Martin, a red hot favourite to take out this year’s Brownlow medal, turned down a reported $11million deal at North Melbourne to stay a Tiger for life.
His future had been up in the air for months, with reports suggesting he was set to sign with the Kangaroos in what would have been the richest deal in AFL history.
‘I’ve decided to stay at Tigerland for another seven years, which I’m incredibly grateful for,’ Martin told Channel Nine’s The Footy Show on Thursday night.
Richmond Tigers superstar Dustin Martin (pictured left with North Melbourne’s Marley Williams) has become one of the richest sportsman in the country after signing a whopping $8million contract with the club
Martin (pictured right with Richmond captain Trent Cotchin) turned down a reported $11million deal at North Melbourne to stay a Tiger for life
Martin, a favourite for the Brownlow medal this year, is seen here with Dane Swan
‘It’s a massive relief. I’m sick of people talking about it. I don’t like being the centre of attention so people can go and find something else to talk about now.’
Richmond football talent general manager Dan Richardson confirmed the news on Thursday.
‘We are absolutely delighted that Dustin has committed to a long-term deal with the Club,’ he said
‘As we have said consistently, in the modern football landscape players and their management are entitled to explore their options.
‘I’ve decided to stay at Tigerland for another seven years, which I’m incredibly grateful for,’ Martin said on Thursday
‘It’s a massive relief. I’m sick of people talking about it,’ said Martin, pictured right with former Collingwood star Dane Swan
‘Our fans will be thrilled that after undertaking that process, Dustin has decided he wants to be at Richmond Football Club and a part of our future.’
Martin’s decision comes after he travelled to New Zealand this week to visit his father, who was deported from Australia because of his alleged bikie gang links.
Shane Martin was anxious and wanted to get his son the best possible deal because of the brevity of AFL careers, the Herald Sun reported.
Shane was detained in Sydney on March 10 after his residency visa was cancelled, part of a federal crackdown on organised crime figures.
Martin’s (right) decision comes after he this week travelled to New Zealand to visit his father (left), who was deported from Australia because of his alleged bikie gang links
Former Richmond star Jake King is seen speaking with Dustin Martin’s father, Shane in 2013
Four weeks later he was deported to New Zealand after the visa failed to meet minimum character requirements.
Although he has never been charged, he remains banned from Australia.
Dustin Martin will line up for the tigers when Richmond plays its first final of the year against Geelong at the Melbourne Cricket Ground next Friday night.
Martin looks on during a Richmond Tigers AFL pre-season training session in 2016