Geelong have announced the addition of category B rookie signing Cillian Burke for the 2025 season.
Burke joins the club from Ireland as a promising Gaelic player from Kerry, with the 21-year-old making the international venture following strong interest from the Cats.
Geelong have noted Burke's speed, ball skills and athleticism as leading traits for the Irish talent, who will join fellow countrymen Mark O'Connor and Oisin Mullin at Kardinia Park.
The Cats also have Kate Kenny, Aishling Moloney, Rachel Kearns and Anna-Rose Kennedy representing the emerald isle as part of Geelong's AFLW program.
“Cillian is a very athletic and a talented prospect, we are thrilled he has decided to join Geelong and can't wait to welcome him to Australia next month,” Geelong football boss Andrew Mackie said in a club statement.
“A very established GGA player, we understand Cillian has made a big life decision to move to Australia. We will support him and have a plan in place to make a smooth transition to the Cats and our football program.”
Burke joins the Cats the same off-season the club bids farewell to premiership player Zach Tuohy, who holds the record for the most AFL games for an Irishman.
Tuohy joined Geelong from Carlton following the 2016 season and would play 168 games for the Cats to bring his career tally to 288 matches.
The arrival of Burke follows Geelong's signing of Western Bulldogs midfielder Bailey Smith, who was traded to the Cats earlier this month on the deadline day of the 2024 trade period.