Prestia officially requests trade

Gold Coast star Dion Prestia has officially requested a trade to a Melbourne club.

Prestia penned a letter to fans on his official Facebook page, following months of speculation about his future.

It is understood the former No.9 draft pick will nominate Richmond as his club of choice.

“It’s with a heavy heart that I inform you that it is my intention to return home to Melbourne during the trade period,” Prestia wrote.

“The club has also been very clear with me and my manger that they expect an acceptable trade to be facilitated. I understand that and I also want the club that I represented with pride on 95 occasions to be compensated adequately.

“I will be forever grateful to the Gold Coast Suns for not only giving me an opportunity to play AFL but to allowing me to grow as a player and leader.

“I know I leave the club a better person than the day I walked through the door for the first time and that is a credit to everyone involved with the club.

“To you, the fans, who have been so supportive I say thank you. To be an inaugural player with the Suns is something I will forever be grateful for and those memories of the club’s first ever game, our first win, our first game here on the Gold Coast and all the hard work that has been done to set up the Gold Coast Football Club is something I will never forget.”

Prestia has played 95 games for the Suns, averaging 24 disposals.

However, he has managed just 22 games in in the past two years due to injury.