Recently retired Swans champion Brett Kirk, today embarked on a six-month, global odyssey, taking Australian football to the world.

The Swans former co-captain will travel to more than 15 countries, set to compete in the 2011 International Cup, to be played in Sydney in August.

Kirk and his travelling party - wife Hayley and their children Indhi, 6 years, twins Memphys and Tallulah, 4 and Sadie, 2 - will first visit Sri Lanka, before moving on to India, South Africa, Europe and North America.

Moments before Kirk stepped through customs in Sydney, he told sydneyswans.com.au just how excited he was for his journey abroad.

“I’m running on a lot of adrenalin at the moment, there is lot of excitable energy,” he said.

“I’ve seen from a young age how football and sport can bring people together, and I’m looking forward to taking footy to the global community.

“The unpredictability is the thing I’m most looking forward to. While there are plans and everything is organised, there is no doubt that when you’re traveling with four kids, there will be a few challenges along the way,” Kirk said.

Kirk, who played 241 games in the red and white, said he hoped Swans fans would follow him as he documents his odyssey via facebook, twitter and blogs on www.brettkirk.com.au.

“This will be a real warts and all look into the Kirk family expedition. What you see is what you get,” he said.

Fans can follow the Kirk family journey on:

Twitter: http://twitter.com/brett_kirk
Facebook: www.facebook.com/brettkirk.official
Online: www.brettkirk.com.au