The Swans newest recruit, big-bodied Irishman Tommy Walsh, endured a couple of very stressful hours yesterday as the deadline for the AFL trade period drew near.

“My phone was going crazy. I’ve never felt so popular,’’ Walsh said.

Walsh’s former club, St Kilda, reluctantly traded Walsh to the Swans yesterday, 15 minutes before the 2pm end of trade week.

Walsh said he knew he wanted to take up the Swans offer the minute he met coach John Longmire last week.

“I’m rapt and I can’t wait to get there and start. As soon as I met John and heard what the Swans wanted me to do, I knew it was too good an opportunity to miss. I just want to play footy, that’s what I came over here for,’’ he said.

Walsh has spent the past weekend in Sydney visiting the Swans recently retired Irishman, Tadhg Kennelly. The pair are both from County Kerry -  Tadhg’s town, Listowel, is about 20 minutes drive from Tommy’s home town of Tralee.

Their association goes back about 10 years.

“I first met Tadhg when I was about eight or nine, and he was 18. He used to coach me at (Gaelic football) clinics. He was working at the summer camps so I kind of knew him then,’’ Walsh said.

Their links grew much stronger in 2009 when Tadhg returned home to play for County Kerry, where Walsh was also playing. They played together in the Kerry team that won the All-Ireland final that year.

“It was amazing. All I ever wanted to do when I was growing up was play for Kerry,’’ said Walsh.

Both players left Ireland after that success. Kennelly returned to Sydney, and Walsh was recruited to St Kilda, where he has spent the past two years until being traded to the Swans yesterday in exchange for draft picks 35 and 68.

Walsh didn’t play a senior game in his two seasons with the Saints, but developed his skills playing key positions in both defence and attack and was seen as one of their most promising youngsters.

“I’ve played at both ends and that means I can be more versatile,’’ Walsh said. “I don’t mind where I play as long as I get a game, but I don’t mind kicking goals!’’

Walsh said the Swans record of developing players such as Kennelly and former Canadian rugby international, Mike Pyke, played a big part in his decision to seek a trade to Sydney.

“That was a massive attraction for me. I knew the Swans had done a great job in bringing on international players.

“Tadhg didn’t have to say anything to me about the Swans because I knew how successful he was here,’’ Walsh said.

Longmire was very pleased to secure the strong-bodied Walsh.

“Tommy hasn’t played a senior game yet but we think he’s a fantastic key position prospect. He’s aggressive and he’s 194cms and 97 kilograms,’’ Longmire said.

“He competes really well and he can play at either end of the ground.’’

Walsh will move to Sydney early next month for the start of pre-season training in mid-November, and will make a quick visit home to Ireland at Christmas.

“My first year in Australia was hard but I’ve settled in now and my family also come over. And I know there are lots of Irish in Sydney.’’