Former Essendon tall Joshua Eyre will play for Collingwood's VFL side in 2023 following his train and trial stint with St Kilda over the summer.
Eyre, a Next Generation Academy graduate for the Bombers, was cut from Essendon at the end of last year without a senior game to his name across two seasons at the club.
The versatile tall - able to play as a key position player at either end of the field - was trialled as a potential Supplemental Selection Period acquisition at the Saints ahead of the signing window's expiry in mid-February, however the 20-year-old was unable to secure a list spot at Linton Street.
St Kilda instead handed contracts to former Carlton midfielder Liam Stocker and Northern Knights product Anthony Caminiti, the latter joining St Kilda shortly after Eyre's training stint came to an end.
Eyre suffered an untimely hamstring injury during his time at Moorabbin, however the Saints confirmed his failed bid for a list spot wasn't a result of the injury.
Since leaving St Kilda, Eyre has linked up with Collingwood's VFL program for the year ahead, landing at Olympic Park close to a month out from the state league's opening game of the 2023 season.
The Kimore product could potentially be utilised as a tall defender for the Magpies, who were set to have former St Kilda backman Darragh Joyce for this year before Brisbane handed the Irishman an AFL lifeline through the SSP.
Collingwood will also be without AFL-listed defender and 2021 Forthergill-Round-Mitchell Medal winner Charlie Dean for an extended period of the season after the former Williamstown star suffered yet another injury setback this pre-season.
Dean was moved to the club's inactive list in February after re-fracturing his foot at training.
The Pies will be hoping to improve on their sixth-placed finish from last year, with their new era under senior coach Josh Fraser commencing in 2023.
Collingwood will host Coburg at Victoria Park to open their home and away season, with that match scheduled for Saturday, March 25.
