Dion Prestia has penned a letter to Gold Coast SUNS fans on his official Facebook page.



Prestia told fans he has requested a trade to Melbourne during the exchange period.



The club reinforced this afternoon that it expected an acceptable deal to be presented for a trade to be facilitated.



In his letter Prestia said: “It's with a heavy heart that I inform you that it is my intention to return home to Melbourne during the trade period.”



“The club has also been very clear with me and my manger that they expect an acceptable trade to be facilitated. I understand that and I also want the club that I represented with pride on 95 occasions to be compensated adequately,” Prestia wrote.



The midfielder said he would look back on his time with the SUNS favourable.



“I will be forever grateful to the Gold Coast SUNS for not only giving me an opportunity to play AFL but to allowing me to grow as a player and leader. I know I leave the club a better person than the day I walked through the door for the first time and that is a credit to everyone involved with the club.



“I've been lucky enough to have played with, been coached by, and have worked with a large number of great people. To each and everyone one of them I want to say thanks and I wish them and the club all the very best for the future.



“To you, the fans, who have been so supportive I say thank you. To be an inaugural player with the SUNS is something I will forever grateful for and those memories of the club's first ever game, our first win, our first game here on the Gold Coast and all the hard work that has been done to set up the Gold Coast Football Club is something I will never forget,” Prestia said.