The Brisbane Lions welcome highly rated former Cat Nakia Cockatoo to the Club after striking a trade with Geelong.

Cockatoo joins the club on a two -year-deal and in return the Cats receive a Future R3 selection attached to Melbourne.

The 24-year-old has played 39 games for Geelong since being taken out of the Northern Territory with pick 10 in the 2014 AFL draft.

List Manager Dom Ambrogio said the Lions’ interest in Cockatoo dated back to his draft year and the Club was thrilled he had decided to continue his career in Brisbane.

‘We welcome Nakia and Grace (& baby Lenah) to our Club as they move their family to Queensland,’’ he said.

“Nakia is a talented footballer who brings power, speed and a competitive edge that we love.

“His versatility is something that Chris will also utilise in the team with his ability to play several roles for us.’’

Cockatoo said he was looking forward to moving to the Sunshine State with his young family and was excited about the next chapter of his career.

“I’m over the moon, there’s been a bit of a wait so when I got the call that it was going ahead it was a great feeling,’’ he said.

“I’ve spoken to Fages a bit and I’m really excited by where the Club is heading and the opportunity for me up there.

“I’d like to thank Geelong, I’m so grateful for the opportunity they gave me, coming from a little town called Humpty Doo, to live out my childhood dream of playing AFL, I can’t thank them enough.

“But now I’m a Brisbane Lion and I can’t wait to get stuck into training with the boys.’’