*DEAL CONFIRMED: St Kilda Football Club Welcomes Key Signing Tom De Koning on Opening Day of AFL Free Agency**
The St Kilda Football Club has made a bold and strategic move to kick off the 2025 AFL Free Agency period, officially signing star ruck-forward **Tom De Koning** from Carlton. The deal, confirmed on the opening day of free agency, marks one of the biggest player acquisitions in recent club history and sends a clear message: the Saints are all-in on building a premiership-caliber team.
De Koning, a **25-year-old restricted free agent**, has inked a **massive eight-year deal** reportedly worth close to **$8 million**, solidifying his long-term future in the red, white, and black. The Saints acted quickly and decisively once free agency opened, with the paperwork lodged early and Carlton opting not to match the substantial offer. The Blues will receive an end-of-first-round compensation pick in return.
This signing brings a major boost to St Kilda’s spine. Standing at 201 cm, De Koning is known for his athleticism, contested marking, and versatility to play both in the ruck and up forward. His presence will ease the load on Rowan Marshall and give the Saints more flexibility and firepower as they chase finals success.
“Tom is a player we’ve admired for a long time,” said Saints list boss **Stephen Silvagni**, who played a key role in orchestrating the deal. “His talent, competitiveness, and professionalism make him a perfect fit for where we’re heading as a club.”
De Koning played **69 games** for Carlton after being selected with pick No. 30 in the **2017 AFL Draft**. While his development took time, he hit his stride in the past two seasons and became one of the most in-demand tall players in the competition.
His decision to join St Kilda is also a significant endorsement of the club’s direction under coach **Ross Lyon**, who returned to the helm in 2023. Lyon’s leadership, paired with the Saints’ promising list — including stars like Jack Steele, Max King, and Nasiah Wanganeen-Milera — seems to have swayed De Koning to commit to the club’s vision for sustained success.
De Koning is not the only new face expected to arrive at Moorabbin during this off-season. St Kilda has also secured **Jack Silvagni** as an unrestricted free agent, and trade targets remain on the radar. There’s growing belief the Saints could be one of the big winners of the 2025 player movement window.
For De Koning, the move represents both a fresh opportunity and a chance to become a cornerstone of a club eager to rise. For St Kilda, it’s a statement of intent: they are serious about competing now — and building for the long haul.
With one of the biggest names in free agency now officially in Saints colours, all eyes will be on how the club shapes its list from here. But one thing is certain: **Tom De Koning is now a Saint — and the future just got a lot more exciting.