Gold Coast new boy Brandon Ellis has confessed he was surprised when Richmond informed him of his future.

The 26-year-old departed the Tigers in the 2019 trade period having just played in his second premiership with the club he joined some eight years prior.

After 176 games and a regular spot in a team that has been one the major forces in the AFL over the past three years, Ellis admits he was shocked when told the Tigers were prepared to let him go.

“I was pretty shaken up and upset when I was told,” Ellis told the Gold Coast Bulletin.

“But it’s a business at the end of the day and these sorts of things happen.

“I have no bad blood with Richmond at all. I love them, they have given me this opportunity and shown me this new life.

“They took me as an 18-year-old and set me up and made me the person I am today so I can’t thank them enough.”

Ellis will get to strut his stuff with the Suns for the first time in the Marsh Community series when they take on Geelong at Metricon Stadium on February 22.