St Kilda will become Jake Stringer’s fourth AFL club when the delisted free agency period opens next month.

The Saints and Stringer have agreed to contractual terms but must wait until November 2 before putting pen to paper.

Stringer arrives at Moorabbin after a sturdy second season at GWS, where he kicked 48 goals and generated nearly 100 scoring shots.

The 32-year-old performed well against the top teams this year, kicking hauls of five goals against Hawthorn and Brisbane Lions as well as seven against Fremantle.

St Kilda general manager Lenny Hayes says Stringer “will complement the talent we already have”.

“Jake has a proven ability to hit the scoreboard and we believe he can add another dimension to our forward line,” Hayes said

“Jake’s experience and goalkicking ability will complement the talent we already have while giving us greater flexibility and depth in attack.”

Stringer was open about his future late in the year, announcing his intention to move back to Victoria for family reasons.

The goalkicker made the difficult decision to leave his unwell father and two young daughters to continue his AFL career at the Giants.

In his final weeks as a Giant, Stringer was caught in reports of erosion between he and teammates over a failed business venture.

But Stringer told the Herald Sun in August — the week of his 250th game — there was no ill-feeling within the group.

“No, there was never an issue with any of the players, I love all the players, and it’s the same back to me,” Stringer said.

“They’ve made me feel part of the fabric, and I’ll be forever grateful not only to the players … but everyone involved with the footy club.”

Stringer started his career and won a premiership at the Western Bulldogs before moving to Essendon and then GWS.

The Saints added Sam Marshall (Brisbane) and pick 14 in exchange for Rowan Marshall (Geelong), a 2027 first-round pick, and a 2028 third-round pick during the recent trade period.

Stringer’s departure follows the exits of Toby Greene (Geelong), Lachie Whitfield (Carlton), Jesse Hogan (Collingwood) and Kieren Briggs (Richmond)

Originally published as AFL 2027: St Kilda to sign forward Jake Stringer as delisted free agent