Essendon Football Club has today lodged paperwork for a trade that will see ruckman Patrick Ryder move to the Port Adelaide Football Club in exchange for picks 17 and 37.
The Club will on trade pick 37 to the Western Bulldogs for 2008 Brownlow Medallist Adam Cooney who has agreed to a two-year deal with the Bombers.
The 29-year-old played 209 games for the Western Bulldogs since being drafted at pick one in the 2003 National Draft.
List Manager Adrian Dodoro said the Club was thrilled to secure a player of Cooney’s calibre.
"We are very excited Adam has chosen to join our club,” Dodoro said.
"Adam is a proven performer and will add important outside speed to our side as well as valuable experience to our midfield group.
"From our discussions with Adam, he is very excited about coming to play for a big club in blockbuster games such as ANZAC Day and Dreamtime and we are excited about what he can offer us."
Dodoro thanked Ryder for his contribution to Essendon.
“Paddy was a very valued member of our football club and while we are disappointed to lose a player like him, we wish him all the best for the future,” Dodoro said.
Ruckman Jonathan Giles has also officially joined Essendon after the Club completed a trade earlier this morning with Greater Western Sydney in exchange for pick 53. The Club will also receive pick 62 from the Giants in the deal.