Having only been to Sydney twice in his life, the third visit to the Harbour City is set to be a permanent one for new Swans midfielder Ryan Clarke.

The 21-year-old officially became a Sydney Swans player when he was traded to the Club from North Melbourne in exchange for pick 61.

Clarke is a hard-running midfielder who is enthusiastic about the prospect of playing senior football with the Swans in season 2019.

“I am very excited,” Clarke told sydneyswans.com.au on Thursday.

“When it went through on Wednesday to make it official it was a big relief and now I am just really looking forward to getting started. 

“I am looking forward to meeting all the players and moving up to Sydney.”

Clarke played the majority of last season off the half-back line for North Melbourne but has been recruited to play more through the midfield in the red and white.

He will add further depth to a midfield group mixed with experienced and emerging talent.

“I have watched footy my whole life, I have watched Sydney a fair bit during that time and I am really looking forward to playing with Luke Parker and Josh Kennedy," he said.

“They are the players that I have looked up to for a number of years now and I love how they go about it.”

The attraction of a move north became stronger for Clarke after meeting with coach John Longmire who laid down a challenge to the youngster.

“I spoke to John and he was really welcoming and I also spoke to a couple of other players which was really good,” Clarke said.

“He said to me that if I am willing to work hard and buy into the culture of the football club then we would love to have you.

“It was a really strong and nice message so I am really looking forward to getting up there and cracking in.” 

Clarke will meet his new teammates for the first time when he joins the first to fourth year players back on the track on November 12.