Hawthornย have landed Carlton champion Kade Simpson as an assistant coach for the 2023 season.

Simpson, a former 342-game general for the Blues, called time on his career at the end of the 2020 season before deciding to remain at Princes Park as a member of Carlton's AFLW coaching cohort.

The 38-year-old also shared his role with the Blues' VFL setup, aiding the development of the two fledgling squads.

The 2013 best and fairest winner is now set to link up with Hawthorn in an assistant coaching capacity, with the Hawks announcing the appointment of Simpson as their defensive coach on Thursday.

โ€œWe are really excited to bring Kade into our program,โ€ Hawks football boss Rob McCartney said in a club statement.

โ€œHe is renowned around the industry for not only his football IQ and expertise, but also his high level of character.

โ€œWe are very confident that, given he is only recently out of the game as a player, he will build some very strong connections โ€“ especially with the younger players on our list.

MELBOURNE, AUSTRALIA - JUNE 30: Kade Simpson of the Blues walks to the coin toss ahead of his 300th match during the 2018 AFL round 15 match between the Carlton Blues and the Port Adelaide Power at the Melbourne Cricket Ground on June 30, 2018 in Melbourne, Australia. (Photo by Adam Trafford/AFL Media/Getty Images)

โ€œKade has an exceptional understanding of the modern game, and we think he will prove a great complement to our existing coaching structure.โ€

Simpson will replace departed lines coach Robert Harvey, who left Waverley in favour of a return to St Kilda to work under the newly-appointed Ross Lyon.

Harvey's departure followed the announcement that assistant pair Damian Monkhorst and Andy Otten had also left the Hawks at the end of the 2022 season.

Hawthorn revealed last month that Zane Littlejohn has taken on the role of development coach, while also being appointed to the senior coaching position for the Box Hill Hawks.

Assistants Chris Newman, David Hale, Adrian Hickmott and Andy Collins all featured as supporting cast to Sam Mitchell in his first season as senior coach of Hawthorn.

Simpson will add a great level of experience to the Hawks' coaches box, having played 15 seasons with the Blues, three of which as vice-captain of the club.

The former Blues defender was open to a return to the playing field as recent as last year, having flagged a desire to continue his AFL career should interest in his services arise.