De Koning to depart to St Kilda as free agent

Tom De Koning has informed the Club of his decision to take up a free agency option with St Kilda.

TOM De Koning has informed the Carlton Football Club of his decision to take up a free agency option at St Kilda.

Although De Koning is a restricted free agent, the Club understands that the significant size of the deal presented by St Kilda is not one the Club is prepared to match.

The Club will now wait to formalise the process and subsequently receive the appropriate compensation pick from the AFL during the upcoming Trade and Free Agency Period in October.

Playing 100 games for the Blues and earning his name on the No.12 locker, De Koning was selected with pick No.30 in the 2017 AFL draft, making his debut for the Club on Round 22, 2018 against the Bulldogs.

Tom De Koning wished to express his gratitude to the entire football club, including the Carlton faithful, over the last eight years.

“To be really honest, this has been the toughest decision I have ever had to make, leaving a club I’ve loved being part of over the last eight years, with friendships I will take with me for the rest of my life,” De Koning said.

“In the end I have made a decision that is best for me, but I just really want to take this opportunity to thank the entire Carlton community who has embraced me since I was drafted – in particular the Cheersquad, who have sponsored me and been an amazing support.”

Carlton Head of List Management Nick Austin expressed the Club’s disappointment in seeing De Koning depart, but was committed to look forward to the opportunity now presented.

“While we would have obviously loved to have retained Tom, the contract offer that we understand he has been presented with is not one we are prepared to match,” Austin said.

“Ultimately the best interests of the football club come first and remains at the centre of every decision we make in regards to our list management.

“Tom and his management have been nothing but professional throughout this process, and while it is disappointing to see Tom depart, we will now look to maximise the flexibility that now exists within our playing list as we move into the off-season period.”

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