Josh Battle has chosen to leave St Kilda and join Hawthorn as an unrestricted free agent.

The Saints defender confirmed the move on Thursday afternoon and is expected to sign a six-year deal with the Hawks.

Hawthorn confirmed they would now begin the process of locking the 25-year-old up when the free agency window opens on October 4.

“The club has made no secret of its desire to add further pieces to our list, and Josh fits that perfectly,” Hawks recruiter Mark McKenzie said.

“Josh will play a key role in the direction of our football club, he is clearly a talented player, whilst also being a high character individual.”

St Kilda will be hoping to receive first-round compensation for the highly-rated backman but the AFL will decide based on the contract offered by Hawthorn.

Battle outlined his gratitude to the Saints and their supporters after he joined the club in 2016 to play 130 games.

“I came to this club while I was still in high school and couldn’t have asked for a better place to grow, both as a footballer and a person,” Battle said.

“The club has made no secret of its desire to add further pieces to our list, and Josh fits that perfectly,” Hawks recruiter Mark McKenzie said.

“Josh will play a key role in the direction of our football club, he is clearly a talented player, whilst also being a high character individual.”

St Kilda will be hoping to receive first-round compensation for the highly-rated backman but the AFL will decide based on the contract offered by Hawthorn.

Battle outlined his gratitude to the Saints and their supporters after he joined the club in 2016 to play 130 games.

“I came to this club while I was still in high school and couldn’t have asked for a better place to grow, both as a footballer and a person,” Battle said.

“I now have a young family of my own, and in planning for our future I’ve come to the difficult decision to move on from my time at the Saints.

“The club has been fantastic throughout this entire process and I leave so grateful for the support they’ve shown both my family and I.

“I’d like to thank all my teammates, coaches and staff who have made my time at the Saints so special, as well as the Saints fans who embraced me from day one.”

St Kilda were disappointed to lose Battle, but wished the defender all the best for the future.

“While we’re clearly disappointed to be losing a person of Josh’s talent and character, he leaves with our best wishes for this next chapter for his young family,” St Kilda EGM football Dave Misson said.

“The club has been fantastic throughout this entire process and I leave so grateful for the support they’ve shown both my family and I.

“I’d like to thank all my teammates, coaches and staff who have made my time at the Saints so special, as well as the Saints fans who embraced me from day one.”

St Kilda were disappointed to lose Battle, but wished the defender all the best for the future.

“While we’re clearly disappointed to be losing a person of Josh’s talent and character, he leaves with our best wishes for this next chapter for his young family,” St Kilda EGM football Dave Misson said.