GAVIN Brown has left Carlton after three years as an assistant coach to join North Melbourne.

The former Collingwood premiership defender, who joined the Blues in 2011 after a decade as an assistant with the Magpies, officially made the move on Monday. 

“I thoroughly enjoyed the last three years at Carlton and made some fantastic friends there and built some strong relationships with the players,” Brown told the North website.

“As disappointed as I am to be leaving, it’s also a great opportunity to go across to North who are also on the way up.

"I'm really excited because I see North as being another club on the move.  They have fantastic talent there and are really exciting to watch, so I really can’t wait to join the players and coaches in a few weeks."

He is the latest name to join the Kangaroos as they beef up their off-field football group. Geoff Walsh has rejoined the club from Collingwood as head of football, Leigh Tudor as senior assistant coach, Ben Dyer as development manager and John Donehue as tackling coach. 

In a reshuffle of duties, Shane Watson will now coach the forward line and Josh Drummond the backline. 

Brown spent his three years with Carlton working as defensive coach under senior coaches Brett Ratten and Mick Malthouse.

Carlton's general manager of football operations Andrew McKay said Brown had made a major contribution to the club.

"Gavin has been integral in developing Carlton's defenders and in particular this season, our backline has been really strong, and that is largely thanks to the tremendous ands tireless efforts of Gavin.

"Gavin is looking to further develop his coaching credentials, and we wish him all the best with it."

Brown played 254 games for the Magpies between 1987 and 2000.