Jack Payne’s lifelong connection to the Lions will continue after he became the latest young gun to commit their future to the Club.

The born and bred Queenslander has barracked for the Lions his entire life and said he had no hesitation signing a new deal that ties him to the Club until the end of 2024.

Payne is a graduate of the Lions’ Hyundai Academy program and would have spent seven years with the Club by the time his new deal expires.

“I see it as a real show of faith in me from the Club and that gives me great confidence,’’ he said.

“I’m grateful for the opportunity this gives me to continue to work on my game with our great coaching staff and the senior players and I believe this is where I will get the most of my career.

“It is an exciting time for our Club, and I’m thrilled to know I’m going to be a part of it for another three years.’’

The 21-year-old broke into the senior side for five games last season and added to his tally in the opening rounds of 2021 before a foot injury ruled him out of the Round 4 clash against the Western Bulldogs.

He resumed running on Monday and is expected to quickly regain full fitness and push for selection in the coming weeks.

Lions GM of Football Danny Daly said the Sunshine Coast product had provided a glimpse of an exciting future in his eight senior appearances.

“This is a great signing for our Club and signifies another success story for our Hyundai Academy program,’’ he said.

“Jack is in the early stages of his career, but he has already shown he can hold his own in the AFL.

“And with his athleticism, power and willingness to learn his potential to continue to improve is enormous and we’re very excited to watch his ongoing development.’’