The Bombers are sending a group of senior players, including the club'sleadership group and captain Jobe Watson, to America to test the trainingconditions. Goddard, who is overseas now, will meet them there.
A leadership position has not been promised as part of the package to lure Goddardto Essendon, despite him being a seen as a likely captain of St Kilda next yearhad he stayed at the club.
But where some criticised Goddard this season for poor body language, Hird saidhe was a fan of the 27-year-old's on-field demeanour and that his best footballis still ahead of him.
""I like his temperament because what it says to me is that he's desperateto be a winner,"" Hird said.
""I got criticised occasionally for my temperament on the field. He wearshis heart on his sleeve when he plays and that's something that really appealsto me.""
Hird said a couple of conversations with Goddard in the ""last month ortwo"" had gone close to cementing the move, but the Bombers didn't know forsure he wanted to join the club until the weekend.
""Brendon's come for opportunity and he's come to be part of a successfulteam,"" Hird said.
""I'm not saying St Kilda won't be that or can't be that, but that's whatwe've talked about. I've talked to him about where I want this club to be, theway we want him to be a part of it, the role we want him to play and to be oneof our players.
""We don't need him to be a superstar. We don't need him to be the bestplayer on the ground every week. We just need him to play a role in our groupand play a really big role in our midfield.""
Goddard said he was excited about the opportunity the Bombers have presentedhim.
""I would like to thank James Hird and the Essendon Football Club for theopportunity they have presented me, and I look forward to committing everythingI have to them just as I have done for St Kilda over the past 10 years,""Goddard told essendonfc.com.au.
""Career decisions are always difficult and this has certainly been thecase for myself.
""I'd like to thank the St Kilda Football Club for everything, especiallymy teammates, many of who will always be close friends away from the footballfield. While I appreciate that many St Kilda supporters will be disappointedwith my decision, I hope they respect it.""
With a number of senior players still unsigned, Hird said the addition to thelist wouldn't force other players out of the club.
Angus Monfries, David Myers, Leroy Jetta, Sam Lonergan, Brent Prismall, DavidHille and Ricky Dyson are among a group of Essendon players who are yet to signnew deals.
Monfries has been offered a ""very respectable"" deal to stay, and Hirddidn't foresee Goddard's arrival leading to others' departures.
""We'd love Angus to stay,"" Hird said.
""There's obviously a club out there that's pretty keen on him and he'llmake a decision obviously in the next 10 days. He's a very valued member of ourteam and a very good team man.""
