MELBOURNE has signed midfielder/forward Jay Kennedy-Harris to a one-year deal, keeping at the club until at least the end of the 2018 season.

Kennedy-Harris has been starring for Casey in the VFL in recent weeks, which has included a couple of 40-plus possession performances.

General manager of football operations Josh Mahoney said Kennedy-Harris had earned his new contract after showing some strong progression.

“After an injury-interrupted year in 2016, we’ve been really pleased with Jay’s development this year,” he told melbournefc.com.au.

“He’s had continuity in games and although he’s played mostly in the VFL, his development at Casey, particularly in the last three or four weeks has been very impressive.

“We look forward to that developing further.”

Kennedy-Harris, who was selected at No.40 in the 2013 NAB AFL Draft, was drafted from Kew Comets/Oakleigh Chargers.

The 22-year-old played 14 matches in his first year, before a groin injury interrupted his 2015 season. His 2016 was ruined by three separate hamstring injuries.

This year, he has played three games for Melbourne for a total of 25 since he made his AFL debut in 2014 against St Kilda at Etihad Stadium.

But his recent form for Casey suggests he is not too far from a call-up, which could be as early as this Friday against the Sydney Swans at the MCG.