Following a pre-season in Collingwood's AFL program, Sam Sofronidis has recently signed with the Magpies' VFL squad.

Sofronidis, who is a star in the Victoria Amateur Football Association (VAFA) for Wesley Old Collegians, was asked down to the AIA Centre in November for a shot at a vacant spot on the Pies list.

Undergoing extensive training at the reigning premiers across the summer months, the 24-year-old was vying for a chance at the elite competition.

Listed at 194cm as an intercept defender, Sofronidis was planning on living abroad in 2023 but changed his mind and returned for the beginning of the season.

Despite missing the opening three matches, the utility earned himself a Big V selection mid-season and was named in the VAFA team of the year, before winning Collegians' best and fairest.

However, with only three spots on their list and five candidates, Collingwood decided not to go with Sofronidis, instead selecting former St Kilda player Jack Bytel, former Essendon player Josh Eyre and VFL star Lachie Sullivan.

Shortly after missing out at the Pies, the 24-year-old was invited to the Bombers whilst still in the pre-season supplemental selection period (SSP).

Pushing for yet another chance at an AFL list, Sofronidis narrowly missed out at The Hangar, with the club opting to keep a spot vacant for the mid-season draft.

The Collegians product has now signed on with Collingwood's VFL team

The Pies will take on the Sandringham Zebras in their opening match of the season on Friday, March 22, the same weekend the Pies' AFL side plays the Zebras' AFL affiliate St. Kilda.