Essendon recruit James Gwilt is looking forward to joining close friend Brendon Goddard in the red and black in 2015.

Gwilt joined the club as an unrestricted free agent on Sunday after agreeing to terms on a one-year deal.

The 28-year-old played alongside Goddard for the majority of his 126 games with the Saints including the 2010 Grand Final against Collingwood.

“I have been chatting to BJ throughout the process, he is a really good mate of mine and I still keep in contact with him,” Gwilt said.

“I’m looking forward to playing with him, so it will be really good.

“It is obviously very exciting, coming to a massive club like the Bombers so I feel very privileged and I am rapt to get the opportunity to play for them.”

The versatile defender is expected to add important depth to Essendon’s defensive stocks with his ability to play on tall and small forwards.

“I played in the backline the majority of my career so I am hoping to play there with the boys,” he said.

“Hopefully I can do as much as I can with the boys to help them out and get some wins on the board early.

“I am just hoping to get a good start to the pre-season and start to the year before hopefully playing finals.”

Gwilt met Melbourne and Greater Western Sydney since playing his last game for St Kilda in round 23 with his future up in the air.

“I have been in a bit of an awkward spot and in a bit of limbo since finishing with the Saints,” he said.

“I came to Essendon a couple of weeks ago to do a medical with the physios and doctors.

“Stuff has been bubbling around and then I heard the news on Friday and I was really pumped.

“There were a couple of other clubs in the background but I wanted to be at Essendon once I knew they were interested in me.”