It will be a homecoming for premiership player Blake Caracella with the Essendon Football Club pleased to advise he will return to the Bombers as an assistant coach in 2020.

A vital member of the Bombers’ 2000 premiership team, the 42-year-old enjoyed a decorated career as a player that spanned 187 games at Essendon, Brisbane and Collingwood before he embarked on his coaching career.

Caracella served as an assistant coach at Collingwood in 2007, before moving to Geelong in a seven-season stint under Chris Scott, including the Cats’ 2011 premiership campaign.

In 2017, Caracella joined Richmond under former teammate and Tigers senior coach Damien Hardwick, serving as offence coach for their premiership season that year.

GM of football Dan Richardson said the club looked forward to welcoming Caracella back to the Bombers.

“We are thrilled Blake has indicated his desire to join our club next season,” Richardson said.

“We respect he is currently contracted and committed to the Richmond Football Club. We thank the Tigers for their understanding and as such, Blake will commence his role with the Bombers at the start of our 2020 pre-season campaign.”