LUCKLESS St Kilda forward Paddy McCartin has departed for Chicago to see concussion specialists as he aims to resurrect his career.

McCartin will visit the Neurologic Wellness Institute to consult with experts.

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After suffering his eighth concussion since 2014 in March, during a pre-season match against the Western Bulldogs, the 23-year-old has been struggling and continues to experience symptoms related to his latest head knock.

Paddy McCartin will not play the rest of this game as a precaution following this contest.#JLTSeries pic.twitter.com/9jOL6HOzAE — AFL (@AFL) March 10, 2019

Football manager Simon Lethlean detailed what the trip would entail for McCartin.

"With Paddy still experiencing some symptoms, he's taken the opportunity to get away and to visit a Chicago-based clinic that could potentially help minimise those symptoms," McCartin told saints.com.au.

"Visiting the clinic also is a chance for Paddy to get out of Melbourne and provides a break from a frustrating period, where he has been pretty restricted in what he can do.

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"He has worked really closely with our doctors and the other specialists he sees locally, and will keep in close contact with them while he's away."

The first overall pick in the 2014 NAB AFL Draft has had a wretched run on the sidelines, having lined up in just 35 career games.

He has already been ruled out for the season, with the Saints having put him on the long-term injury list in the lead-up to the NAB AFL Mid-Season Rookie Draft, allowing them to pick up young forward Jack Mayo.