PHOENIX — Christian Yelich took to Milwaukee so much he staked his long-term future to the Brewers.

“I’ve said many times that I’ve only been here for two years, but it feels like it’s been a lot longer,” the two-time NL batting champion said Wednesday after finalizing a $215 million, nine-year contract. “Ever since I came, it’s felt like just a natural fit, a place that is great for myself and my family, and formed a connection with the community, my teammates, everyone from ownership and front office on down.”

His new deal added $187.25 million over seven seasons to the remaining $27.75 million Yelich was guaranteed as part of the $49.57 million, seven-year contract he signed in March 2015 with Miami.

Yelich was dealt to the Brewers in January 2018, and he won the NL batting title and MVP award as the Brewers reached Game 7 of the NL Championship Series. He added another batting championship and finished second in the MVP vote last year, when his season was cut short by a broken kneecap on Sept. 10. The Brewers reached the playoffs in consecutive seasons for the first time since 1981-82 but lost the NL wild-card game after wasting an eighth-inning lead against Washington.

“Knowing that Christian is going to be here now for the better part of the next decade certainly allows us to map out how we’re going to remain competitive for that time period,” Brewers general manager David Stearns said, “and that was a priority of Christian’s, that we have the ability to remain competitive during his term as a Brewer.”

If Yelich keeps playing at this level and had he waited until becoming a free agent after the 2022 season, he likely would have commanded far more.

“What everybody sees on the field is an MVP, but we have that same MVP when it comes to the leadership Christian brings, the kind of teammate he is and the selfless things he does in the community, many of which aren’t visible because he really doesn’t look for attention,” Brewers owner Mark Attanasio said.

The 28-year-old outfielder had been guaranteed $12.5 million this year, $14 million in 2021 and a $1.25 million buyout of a $16 million team option for 2022.

Yelich’s new agreement includes the same amounts for 2020 and 2021, then adds $26 million annually from 2022-28, of which $4 million a year is deferred. The deal contains a $20 million team option for 2029 with a $6.5 million buyout.