2008 Hawthorn premiership player Campbell Brown says the 'challenge' of being part of a new club helped convince him to join the Gold Coast Suns.
After 159 games in nine seasons the 27-year-old on Tuesday rejected the Hawks' contract offer, reportedly worth $300,000 a year over two seasons before later in the day confirming he had signed with the Suns for the next three years.
But while there are suggestions the deal he has signed with the AFL's 17th club will earn him more than $1.2 million Brown says that wasn't the major motivating factor.
"I'm really pleased about the move and the challenge of working with the young talented playing list," Brown said on Wednesday.
"This is a great opportunity for me and a new chapter in my career."
"I'm looking forward to living and playing on the Gold Coast and the excitement that comes with being part of a new AFL team."
Coach Guy McKenna, whose inaugural squad will also include Nathan Bock (Adelaide), Nathan Krakouer (Port Adelaide) and Michael Rischitelli (Brisbane) and former rugby league star Karmichael Hunt, is delighted to be bringing premiership experience to the club.
"He joins us from a very professional and disciplined football environment, and successful Melbourne club such as the Hawks, and will provide our young group with an important role model," McKenna said.
"He brings some magnificent personality traits to our club. He is a spirited, super-competitive, uncompromising team-first player."
"His versatility and ability to play in defence or attack will be very important for us in our inaugural year."
"He will be a leader among the young group as a very professional footballer who has great respect from his team-mates and the AFL industry."
The signing of Brown comes a couple of days after the Suns announced that former Brisbane and Collingwood midfielder Shane O'Bree has agreed terms to be one of McKenna's assistants, joining Ken Hinkley, Shaun Hart and Dean Solomon.