Emerging Sydney Swans defender Aliir Aliir hasn’t stayed eight years in one place since the childhood days he spent in a Kenyan refugee camp.

But the “travelling” 23-year-old has planted himself in Sydney for the long haul, with a three-year contract extension linking him with the Swans until at least the end of 2021.

The 194-centimetre giant arrived at the Swans in late 2013 after signing with the Club via pick 44 at November’s national draft, a relocation following time in Kenya, Newcastle, Brisbane, Perth and an initial stint in Sydney.

Aliir says he’s thrilled to be settling in the Harbour City.

“It’s great to be locking down in the one place and at the one club for a good period of time,” Aliir told SwansTV.

“I’ve been here for five years now and to be able to lock away another three years is great for myself. I’m very comfortable and the family is stoked that I’m staying at such a great club. It’s very pleasing to have re-signed with the Swans. I’m at a great club with high standards and to be able to lock away another three years here is great for me and my family.”

Aliir was born in Kenyan refugee camp Kakuma after his parents had fled war-torn Sudan.

He was born in 1994 and migrated to Australia with his mother and siblings in 2003 at the age of eight.

His father died in Kakuma when Aliir was seven years of age.

Aliir first touched down in Sydney and moved to Newcastle shortly after, before jumping ship to Brisbane and locking his eyes on Australian rules football for the first time ever.

The athletic youngster ummed and ahhed when his mates at Kedron State High School had first encouraged him to trial at the Aspley Hornets, but he would fall in love with the game when he spotted West Coast Eagles dynamo Nic Naitanui clunking big marks on television.

Aliir donned the blue and white for WAFL club East Fremantle upon a move to Perth in 2013, and in November he would look right at home in red and white.

The 22-game Swan became the first player of Sudanese heritage to be selected at a national draft after an astute spotting from Sydney recruiter Kinnear Beatson.

He made his AFL debut in Sydney’s clash with Brisbane in Round 6, 2016 off the back of impressive performances in the NEAFL – and another hot surge of form has seen him blaze the trail for his new three-year deal.

The ruckman-turned-defender made his latest return from the NEAFL in Round 13 and fired from the get-go, reeling off a string of intercept marks and moving the ball with admirable poise off half-back as Sydney overcame West Coast.

He hasn’t missed a beat since and recently booted the match-winner in Sydney’s exhilarating win over North Melbourne, sneaking from defence to the forward line to bag his first AFL goal in memorable fashion.

Aliir says his mid-season resurgence is a result of Sydney’s coaching panel and his growing self-belief.

“I put my form down to a mixture of the coaches helping out, like Rhyce Shaw, Tadhg Kennelly and Jeremy Laidler, and then when I did get that opportunity to get back into the seniors it was just playing with confidence and taking that into every game and trying to perform at the highest level,” Aliir said.

“It’s help from the coaches and then building that confidence that I’ve done all the hard work in the NEAFL.”

But Aliir’s focus is not limited to what he does with a Sherrin in hand.

His one-on-one duel with fellow Sudanese star Majak Daw in the Swans’ match with the Roos captivated the hearts and minds of fans.

Although a world away from the Kenyan refugee camp he once called home, it’s not lost on Aliir the hope he’s able to give.

He became an official ambassador of the AFL’s multicultural program in 2016 and knows he’s a beacon of hope.

“My journey shows the Sudanese community that it doesn’t matter where you come from,” Aliir said.

“If you work hard and fully commit to it you can play at the top level. I’m in my fifth year at the Swans now and see myself as a role model. I’m doing as much as I can to help not only my African community but the multicultural community in general, just with trying to bring them out to play sport and stay active. I want to keep working on helping the younger ones in the community come through.”

Although Aliir’s latest contract extension has tied him to the Swans for at least another three years, the up-and-comer says his sights are firmly fixed on the present.

Essendon looms as Sydney’s next challenge, with the Swans set to face the Bombers at Etihad Stadium on Friday night as the road to the finals ramps up.

“I just want to keep playing consistently week in and week out,” Aliir said.

“I’m wanting to take it week by week, play consistent footy and do whatever I can to help the team win. That’s the way I’m going to keep going.”