SENIOR-coach-in-waiting Blake Caracella will complete this season at Richmond before returning to his playing roots at Essendon.
As AFL.com.au reported on Monday, Caracella, the Tigers' offensive coach, and Richmond reached an agreement to part ways despite him being contracted for 2020.
He re-signed for two seasons in October last year, after joining Richmond ahead of the 2017 season then performing a pivotal role in the club ending its 37-year premiership drought.
Bombers football boss Dan Richardson confirmed on Tuesday that Caracella would join their coaching panel at season's end.
"We are thrilled Blake has indicated his desire to join our club next season," Richardson said.
"We respect he is currently contracted and committed to the Richmond Football Club.
"We thank the Tigers for their understanding and, as such, Blake will commence his role with the Bombers at the start of our 2020 pre-season campaign."
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Richardson and Essendon assistant coach Ben Rutten both worked with Caracella at Richmond.
Caracella played 187 games for Essendon, Brisbane and Collingwood, including being part of the Bombers' 2000 premiership and the Lions' 2003 flag.
Tigers coach Damien Hardwick was a teammate of his in that Essendon side.
Caracella has since become a highly rated assistant coach at three clubs across 13 years, and is regularly discussed as someone in the mix to be an AFL senior coach one day.
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AFL.com.au revealed in July that the Bombers' opposition strategy coach Rob Harding and forwards coach Paul Corrigan were pursuing other opportunities, which created two job openings.
Part of Harding's current role includes ball movement, an area Caracella has excelled in at Richmond.
The 42-year-old previously worked at Geelong from 2010 to 2016, including the Cats' 2011 premiership, and Collingwood between 2007 and 2009.
He has worked alongside the Tigers' football boss Neil Balme at all three of his coaching stops, after Balme also recruited him to the Magpies as a player for the 2005 season.
"We thank Blake for his contribution to Richmond. He has been an integral member of our coaching group for the past three seasons," Balme said.
"Blake will remain in his role at the club until the end of our season, and beyond that we wish him and his family all the best for his next challenge."
Caracella was also accepted into the AFL's exclusive Level Four coaching course in 2015, alongside the likes of Simon Goodwin, Stuart Dew and Brendon Bolton.