COLLINGWOOD midfielder Sharrod Wellingham appears set to leave the Magpies to join West Coast.

Late on Thursday, Wellingham, 24, was quoted on the Triple M website as saying the lure of family and the opportunity to make a fresh start were the reasons behind his wish to return to his native Western Australia.

Wellingham said on Triple M that he appreciated the opportunities that Collingwood had given him.

"I will always have some very good friends there, but it is now time to move on," he said.

"The dealings I have had with West Coast have been really impressive and I will now go on a break overseas and wait for the two clubs to reach a deal on the terms of my move back home.

"It will be exciting to get back to Perth and to play in front of my family every week. That was a very strong influence on my decision to leave and I look forward to playing with the Eagles.

"Playing against them, we had enormous respect for West Coast, and I believe they have a young list capable of winning a premiership in the next few years."

West Coast communications manager Gary Stocks tweeted: "Sharrod Wellingham has nominated West Coast as his club of choice. Now need to get deal done in trade period. Happy days."

Collingwood selected Wellingham at No.10 in the 2006 rookie draft.

He made his debut in round six, 2008, and has since played 92 games. He was a member of the 2010 premiership team.

As Wellingham is not a free agent, West Coast and Collingwood will have to come to an agreement during Gillette AFL Trade Period, which begins on Monday.