LAUNCESTON, AUSTRALIA - JULY 13: Grant Birchall of the Hawks chases the ball during the round 17 AFL match between the Hawthorn Hawks and the Fremantle Dockers at University of Tasmania Stadium on July 13, 2019 in Launceston, Australia. (Photo by Matt King/Getty Images)

Hawthorn veteran Grant Birchall will be a Lion in 2020, after deciding to join Brisbane next season.

According to Mitch Cleary on AFL Trade Radio, the Hawks offered Birchall just a rookie contract, with the 31-year-old opting to go and reunite with Chris Fagan at the Lions.

Birchall spoke to the Lions' website on Thursday, saying how excited he is to join.

“It happened reasonably quickly,” he said.

“I’m excited to start something a bit different and get up there.

“[Chris Fagan] has done some really good things at the Lions over the last few years and they were really good to watch in 2019.

“I’m looking forward to playing under him and hopefully helping the guys go the next step in 2020.”