FORMER Collingwood and Sydney forward Jesse White has missed out on securing a contract with professional basketball club Melbourne United.

After training with the NBL outfit for the past three months, the 29-year-old has announced he will pull on the footy boots next year with SANFL side Glenelg.

White ended his 127-game AFL career at the end of this season, before a coffee with junior basketball teammate, and United star Chris Goulding, sparked his interest in extending his professional sporting career.

"I really wanted to scratch that itch," White told SANFL Radio.

"Meeting with Melbourne United, they really opened their doors to me and it was awesome to get a taste of something different.

"Coming from the AFL, I was at the crossroads where I had to think about in the long run where I would head with that.

"I've only just finished (with United), literally yesterday.

"I really enjoyed it and they're a very professional group."

White will move to Adelaide where he will reunite with new Tigers coach Mark Stone, who was an assistant coach at the Swans.

"They're a young group and just missed out on the finals this year," White said.

"Hopefully I can bring that experience and I'm looking forward to working with some of the younger guys and be a mentor."

White was the 79th overall pick of the 2006 NAB AFL Draft by the Swans.

The 196cm forward/ruckman played 71 games for the Swans before being traded to the Magpies at the end of 2013.

White played 56 games in four seasons for the Magpies, but could only manage four games this year.