SAINT Xavier Clarke has been traded to the Brisbane Lions for pick 60 in next month's NAB AFL Draft.
Clarke, 26, becomes the fourth player to join the Lions in trade week following Amon Buchanan (Sydney Swans), Brent Staker (West Coast) and Andrew Raines (Richmond).
The deal is St Kilda's after it acquired Essendon's Andrew Lovett and Fremantle's Brett Peake earlier this week.
As it stands, pick 60 will be St Kilda’s second in the draft after giving away pick 16 to the Bombers and 48 to Fremantle.
Clarke, who underwent a knee reconstruction early this year after tearing his anterior cruciate ligament, thanked the Saints and spoke of his hunger to join the Lions.
"I've been offered a terrific opportunity at Brisbane and I’m really looking forward to further developing my career with the Lions," Clarke told St Kilda's website.
"It was a decision I didn't take lightly. I had to sit down and see what was best for my footy and my personal development as a player.
"I look forward to seeing a few of you (ex-teammates) around the traps. It's probably not going to be on level terms, we'll be wearing different colours but the friendships I've made I will never lose. I respect and I love the St Kilda Football Club."
Clarke has seen plenty of highs and lows during his time at Moorabbin.
In 2003, retiring legend Nathan Burke handed him his No.3 jumper, while he spent much of the past two years travelling from Melbourne to his hometown of Darwin to be with his ill father Xavier senior, who passed away earlier this year.
Clarke said he was grateful for the support he received from the club throughout a difficult period in his life.
"I'd like to take this opportunity to thank everyone involved, especially the supporters out there, not only to myself but to (brother) Raph and my family," he said.
"I'd also like to thank (Saints coach) Ross Lyon for your support over the last couple of years especially. I've obviously gone through a rough time with the family back home and you've been absolutely fantastic as have the other coaching staff involved."
Lyon praised Clarke for his commitment and service to the club on and off the field.
"Xavier has been a loyal servant of our club since he was drafted in 2001, not only on the field but he also spearheaded our Saints in the Community program," Lyon said.
"Xavier was always a popular figure at the Saints and we are pleased to see him provided with a great opportunity up north. We wish him all the best at Brisbane."
Selected at No.5 overall in the 2001 national draft, Clarke made his St Kilda debut in 2002.
He played 105 career games for the Saints, having spent most of them on the wing and across half-back.
The 2009 AFL exchange period runs from October 5-9. No trades are official until paperwork has been accepted by the AFL and formally recognised after 2pm on Friday, October 9.
