DANIEL Wells has opened up about his departure from North Melbourne, saying it "weighs heavy on my heart that I have to leave this club".

Wells has told the Roos he is leaving after 14 seasons with the club which secured him with pick No.2 overall in the 2002 NAB AFL Draft. 

Magpies ready to swoop on Wells

The 31-year-old is expected to take up a reported three-year, $1.8 million offer to join Collingwood as an unrestricted free agent. 

Wells, who knocked back the Roos' two-year deal said to be worth up to $1.1 million, posted an emotional message to supporters on Instagram on Tuesday.

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"I just wanted to say that it weighs heavy on my heart that I have to leave this club that I literally grew up with," the classy midfielder wrote. 

"It is an amazing club and I will be forever grateful for what they have done for me and my family."

Wells played 243 games for North, was a dual-All Australian nominee and the equal-best and fairest in 2011.