The terms Collingwood was able to offer were superior to the Hawks and the ability to remain in Victoria was likely to be persuasive against the Port Adelaide offer.

Young, a wingman, who was a member of the Hawks' 2008 premiership team and has played 116 games, will join Collingwood as a ready-made replacement for Sharrod Wellingham, who was traded to West Coast.

The move means Collingwood has traded out two players for first-round draft picks - Wellingham (pick 17) and Chris Dawes (pick 20) and brought in through free agency two experienced players - Young and Quinten Lynch - to fill their roles.

Young's manager, Alex McDonald, of McDonald Sports and Talent Management, said his client had agonised over the decision because of his affection and respect for Hawthorn, but was excited by the opportunity that Collingwood had provided.

An outside player who is a good user of the ball, Young fills the need Collingwood coach Nathan Buckley and recruiter Derek Hine had identified for a player better able to deliver the ball inside forward 50.