The Demons sent Cheney and their fourth-round pick in November's NAB AFL Draft, No.66, to the Hawks, with the deal coming together just a couple of hours before Monday's trading deadline.
In return, Melbourne gained Hawthorn's third-round pick, No.52.
"It's an interesting little scenario with Kyle as he's just landed in China," Cheney's manager Alex McDonald told afl.com.au's Trade Week Radio.
"We were hoping to get the trade done earlier so he didn't have to go through the trip, but I guess that's what trade week is all about. You don't know when the deals will get done."
Cheney had time left on his contract, but was frustrated after playing just two senior games in 2010.
The 21-year-old has played 14 AFL matches since making his debut in 2009.
"He played some good footy this year with Casey [in the VFL] and decided now was probably the right time to move if a club expressed some interest," McDonald added.
Hawthorn list manager Chris Pelchen said the Hawks were confident Cheney would develop into a valuable player.
"He is a quality young man with a bright future ahead of him and we feel he will complement our backline, especially in light of Campbell Brown’s recent departure," Pelchen said.
"Kyle is a genuine country boy. He's tough, hard and uncompromising and we’re sure he will fit in perfectly at Waverley Park."
It's unclear at this stage whether Cheney will play for Melbourne in its exhibition match against the Brisbane Lions in Shangai on Saturday. He had been named in the Demons squad for the match.
Follow our complete coverage of the 2010 AFL exchange period from October 5-11. No trades are official until paperwork has been accepted by the AFL and formally recognised after 2pm on Monday, October 11.
Join the AFL trade conversation on Twitter: use #tradeweek in your tweets.
