HAWTHORN wingman Clinton Young will become a Collingwood player on Friday after leaving the Hawks as an unrestricted free agent.

Young's manager Alex McDonald said the Hawks had remained supportive across the three-week Gillette AFL Free Agency period and had been keen to retain him.

But it was the opportunity to play a key role on the wing at Collingwood that saw Young make his decision as Friday's 5pm free agency deadline approached.

Young has signed a three-year contract.

Director of football Geoff Walsh said the Magpies "wanted to improve our transition from defence to attack and sharpen up our delivery inside 50 and we think Clinton will certainly help in those regards.

"We're very pleased he has decided to join us.

"Clinton carries the football well, covers the ground and kicks with precision over distance with that left foot of his."

McDonald told SEN radio on Friday that his client has "an opportunity to play that role that's becoming very important.

"The wing role now, or that sweeping type role, has become one of the critical roles in the game.

"Because clubs are so good at closing down space, it's critical to be able to release the ball.

"Collingwood has got some great inside players who can get the ball out and there's an opportunity for him to grab that role of delivering it down deep into their forwards and breaking some lines for them."

Port Adelaide presented a compelling case for Young, 26, to consider but in the end the opportunity to remain in Melbourne influenced the decision.

McDonald said there had been "quite a good deal of interest" in the 2008 premiership player.

Hawthorn coach Alastair Clarkson said, "Clinton and his family were a big part of the club and it’s disappointing he has chosen to leave.
 
"While it's disappointing to lose a member of our 2012 Grand Final team, and a long-time contributor to our club, player movement is a reality in the free agency market," he said.

The AFL will announce on Friday draft compensation for clubs which have lost players to free agency.

On Friday, The Age reported Young would agree to a three-year deal with the Magpies.

The Pies have been active players in the free agency period and the opening fortnight of the trade window.

They signed West Coast forward Quinten Lynch as a free agent and traded out Chris Dawes and Sharrod Wellingham for first-round NAB AFL Draft selections.

They also recruited basketballer Ben Richmond, who will be signed as a category two rookie in December.

As well as recruiting the two experienced premiership players, the Pies now have draft selections 17, 18 and 20, which are likely to be pushed back later on Friday when the AFL awards compensation picks to clubs that have lost players via free agency.

Young played 116 games for Hawthorn, including 20 this season after an injury-hit three years.

Jennifer Witham is a reporter for AFL Media. Follow her on Twitter @AFL_JenWitham.