All-Australian star defender Nick Blakey is headed to Arden Street after the club agreed to a trade with the Sydney Swans on Tuesday.

As part of a complicated trade, North Melbourne will receive Blakey, this year's Telstra AFL Draft selection No.52, and Sydney's 2028 second-round selection.

The Swans receive this year's AFL Draft selections No.6 and 47, a 2028 future first-round selection and future second-round selections in 2027 and 2028.

The 26-year-old has been a prime mover in the Swans' defence since being taken at pick No.10 in the 2018 AFL Draft. 

His trademark run and carry has been a key driver in helping to propel the Swans to five of the last six finals series.

Blakey's family connection to North Melbourne goes back to 1993 after his father John arrived at Arden St following a trade with his former club Fitzroy. 

John became a two-time premiership player and an emergency in North Melbourne's Team of the Century after arriving at the club in 1993.

Of John's 359 AFL games, 224 were played in the royal blue and white.

Nick was eligible to be taken as a father-son selection by North Melbourne, but he chose to stay in Sydney, where he had lived for the past 12 years. 

He went on to play 172 games for the Swans, and was runner-up in the club's best and fairest in 2023. He was named All-Australian in 2024.

In joining North Melbourne, Blakey acknowledged the circumstances which led to him missing Sydney's finals series, and which eventually led to him leaving the club.

"I want to say that I'm sorry for the events that led up to my exit from Sydney," Blakey said. 

"I know I have to win back the trust of the broader community, football and otherwise.

"Now I have the opportunity to move forward and I want to thank North Melbourne for helping me find a fresh start.

"I'm grateful I have landed at a place that has such deep connections to me and my family.

"There is so much potential in this group and I'm looking forward to getting to work to help take North Melbourne forward."