PORT Adelaide's star recruit Patrick Ryder has been honoured with one of the club’s most iconic numbers.

Ryder will wear No.4 - the number made famous by inaugural captain Gavin Wanganeen.

It creates an instant connection between the two former Bombers.

Wanganeen also wore No.4 at Essendon where he won a Brownlow Medal.

"Gavin was a great player and a role model for many Aboriginal players in the game today - we all grew up watching him play," Ryder told the club’s website.

"To wear the No.4 here with the Power is really special and it was great that Gav was happy for me to wear it."

Ryder, 26, walked out on the Bombers in the wake of two tumultuous seasons dealing with the supplements scandal.

The Bombers forced Port Adelaide into mediation talks, but he was eventually traded to Alberton Oval.

Ryder will join his new teammates on a flight to Dubai on Friday for what promises to be an intense training camp.

Port Adelaide fitness boss Darren Burgess is keeping details of his punishing plans secret from the playing group.

"One of the good things Dubai gave us last year was the element of surprise for the players," Burgess told radio station 5AA this week.

"We want to keep that going and keep that mentality, and make sure they don’t know what’s coming next.

"The facility is easily the best I’ve seen on the planet."