Collingwood's All-Australian defender Harry O'Brien says he is looking forward to being part of continued success with the AFL's reigning premiers after signing a new contract.

O'Brien, 24, has committed to the Magpies until the end of 2012 and said he was glad to have completed negotiations before the new season started.

"It's very exciting and also a bit of a relief, because I can put that behind me and really concentrate on the on-field stuff in 2011," O'Brien said.

"I want to play my football at the Collingwood Football Club. We have an opportunity here, and we all feel it, that we can have sustained success."

The athletic, Brazilian-born backman, who initiated his own trial with the Magpies to earn a rookie spot in 2004, has played 111 games with the club, including the past 86 straight.

He was ninth in Collingwood's best and fairest voting last season, after top-five finishes in the previous two years.

"It has been an amazing journey. I haven't had too much time to reflect on it, I think you do that at the end of the career," O'Brien said.

"But I know I've had to really work hard to get to this position, and I know I've got to continue to work hard to try and improve."

O'Brien's commitment comes after captain and fellow defender Nick Maxwell signed until the end of 2013 late last year.

Premiership stars Dane Swan, Scott Pendlebury and Dale Thomas all come out of contract at the end of the 2011 season.

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