MELBOURNE, AUSTRALIA - AUGUST 13: Jordan Lewis of the Hawks handballs away from Andrew Swallow of the Kangaroos during the round 21 AFL match between the Hawthorn Hawks and the North Melbourne Kangaroos at Melbourne Cricket Ground on August 13, 2016 in Melbourne, Australia. (Photo by Michael Dodge/Getty Images)

Four-time Hawthorn premiership player Jordan Lewis is officially a Melbourne player, joining the Dees on a three-year deal.

As part of the deal, Melbourne has sent picks 48 and 66 to the Hawks, and received picks 57 and 68 in return.

Lewis said he was grateful for everything the Hawks have helped him achieve, but said the opportunity to play with Melbourne's young and exciting list was too good to refuse.

“I firstly want to start off by thanking the Hawthorn Football Club. I arrived there as an 18-year-old from Warrnambool and to leave the Club as a four-time premiership player is something I am very proud of,” Lewis said.

“I am truly grateful for everything that Hawthorn has done for myself and my family and I will never forget the memories of what we achieved together as a Club. I want to thank every player, coach, staff member and supporter for everything they have done along the journey and I wish the Club the very best in the future.

“My decision to come to Melbourne started when Clarko and I caught up a couple of weeks ago for what was a really honest chat. We spoke about what my future could look like beyond my current contract and following that catch-up I sat down and looked at my options. I looked at every Club in the competition and after going through every list, Melbourne was the one that stood out – if I wasn’t going to be at Hawthorn. It was clear to me that I wanted to play for the Melbourne Football Club.

“I then met with Goody, Josh and Todd early last week and following that, it really solidified my thoughts about joining Melbourne.

“I believe in what the Club is building. There is some outstanding young talent at the Club and that is an area I can certainly play a role in – mentoring and developing those players both in an on-field and off-field sense.

“I’m really looking forward to this new challenge. We have a lot of work to do but from what I know, and from what I have seen firsthand, the players seem up for the fight and I can’t wait to get to work at the Club."

The 30-year-old was recruited with pick 7 in 2004, playing 264 games for the Hawks, including the 2008, 2013, 14 and 15 premierships.

He made the All-Australian team in 2014 and won the club best fairest in the same year. He finished runner-up behind Sam Mitchell in Hawthorn’s best and fairest this season, averaging 26.4 disposals, 5.5 marks and 4.2 tackles.

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