CARLTON has landed another off-field coup as it builds its coaching team, with Adelaide assistant David Teague returning to the club as forward line coach.

It is understood Teague, who is a highly regarded assistant and viewed as a senior coach in the making, has signed a three-year deal with the Blues.

The 36-year-old was highly sought after by Melbourne clubs, including Collingwood, after making the decision to return home for family reasons.

Former Port Adelaide player Josh Francou, on his way out at Sydney, will be Teague's replacement at the Crows.

Francou joined the Swans as a development coach at the end of 2013 before stepping up to a role as assistant midfield coach alongside Gold Coast candidate Stuart Dew.

Teague has been in charge of Adelaide's powerful forward line for the past three seasons, with the Crows leading the AFL for scoring in 2017.

He had previously held positions with St Kilda (2014) and West Coast (2011-13) as a backline coach and was the Northern Bullants' coach from 2008-10 in the VFL.

Carlton had already bolstered its coaching team with the appointment of Hawthorn assistant Cameron Bruce in August.

The Blues face the prospect of losing valuable stoppages coach John Barker to Gold Coast, where he is the favourite to replace Rodney Eade as senior coach.

Experienced coaching director Neil Craig retired from the Blues' panel in late August.