The Gold Coast Suns have confirmed they have lured All-Australian defender Nick Malceski from the Sydney Swans in a three-year AFL deal.

An unrestricted free agent, the 30-year-old opened talks with the Suns last Friday, just six days after the Swans were beaten by Hawthorn in the grand final.

• Trade winds: who is coming and going at your club
• Frawley hopes to ‘do a Lake’ with Hawks
• Joy for Magpies as another Moore joins the ranks

“Nick’s decision to join the Gold Coast Suns is huge,” said Suns recruiting manager Scott Clayton in a statement on Monday night.

“It’s a massive vote of confidence for our club, the players and our future.

“A great leader who brings premiership experience, Nick’s signing delivers us with a player who is at the top of his game.”

Malceski has played 176 matches since making his debut in 2005 and memorably kicked the winning goal in the 2012 grand final.

The chance to link with a young and emerging squad who went close to qualifying for this year’s finals was too good to turn down for Malceski.

“I am sad to have to leave Sydney,” he said.

“It has been great to me and I owe the club so much. I came to the club as an 18-year-old and have become the person I am today because of this place and it’s people and culture.

“To have mentors like John Longmire, Brett Kirk and Adam Goodes was such a privilege and those habits, values and behaviours are forever with me.”