Sydney Swans defender Nick Malceski joined the Gold Coast Suns as an unrestricted free agent on Monday night.
Malceski 30, signed a three-year deal with the Suns after completing the best season of his career, playing all of the Swans' 25 games and earning his first All Australian selection.
Malceski played 176 matches with the Swans after joining the Club in the 2002 National Draft.
Swans General Manager – Football Dean Moore said it was disappointing to lose the All-Australian defender.
“We would have liked to have seen Nick finish his career with the Swans and I’m sure he would have too," Moore said.
"We put a really good offer to Nick but unfortunately he’s been offered a deal too good to refuse.
“While obviously disappointed to lose someone of Nick’s calibre, who arguably had his best season this year finishing with All-Australian selection, we understand his reasons for accepting the Suns’ offer.
“We thank Nick for his contribution to the club and he will always be remembered for his outstanding 2012 Grand Final and the role he played at the club over the past 12 seasons.
“We wish Nick all the best in the future with the Suns.”
Swans coach John Longmire wished to thank Nick for his time at the club.
“I’ve been fortunate to be at the Swans for the entirety of Nick’s football career and he’s been an absolute pleasure to coach and a great person to have around the club,” Longmire said.
“While his performance in the 2012 Grand Final will go down in Swans history, his overall contribution to the Swans has been fantastic.
“He’s shown determination to overcome three knee reconstructions, he’s been a fantastic player for our football club, he’s a great person and I wish him a successful end to his career.”
Malceski said the opportunity to become a leader among a relatively young group was appealing.
"I am sad to have to leave Sydney," Malceski said in a statement.
"It has been great to me and I owe the club so much. I came to the club as an 18-year-old and have become the person I am today because of this place and its people and culture.
"To have mentors like John Longmire, Brett Kirk and Adam Goodes was such a privilege and those habits, values and behaviours are forever with me.
"But this was too good an opportunity to miss both for my family and me personally. At Sydney I was surrounded by a depth of great leaders and at the Suns it is all new and young. I am looking forward to helping them build a sustainable and successful team."
