Essendon Football Club has no intention of trading Paddy Ryder.

Paddy is contracted until the end of the 2016 season and is a valued and much loved member of our playing group.

Current media speculation about his future is premature and ill-informed.

The Club and Paddy had already agreed to sit down and discuss any concerns he has post season.

It is extremely disappointing that Paddy’s manager Paul Connors has chosen to play these matters out in the press on the eve of the Club’s finals campaign.

These actions have put unnecessary pressure on Paddy and his family.