Zak Butters signs record $18m deal to join Western Bulldogs

Summarised from 2 outlets · Updated 9 Oct, 07:19 · Archive

Zak Butters has joined the Western Bulldogs on a nine-year contract reportedly worth $18 million, the biggest in AFL history.

Zak Butters has joined the Western Bulldogs on a nine-year contract worth approximately $2 million a season, reportedly the biggest deal in AFL history. The three-time All-Australian left Port Adelaide as a free agent after the Power opted not to match the Bulldogs' contract, accepting pick No.5 as compensation instead.

Butters, 26, had been strongly linked to Geelong but requested a trade to the Bulldogs, catching the football world off-guard. A boyhood Bulldogs supporter from Darley west of Melbourne, he said the move had long seemed unlikely. "For a few years I probably thought it was never going to be possible - to put the colours on for the team you grew up loving and supporting," Butters said. "I'm just super grateful."

His arrival is expected to boost the Bulldogs' 2027 premiership chances, with star forward Sam Darcy set to return from injury. "It's an exciting stage for our football club," Butters said. "Hopefully we can really challenge. It could be something pretty special, you wouldn't want to miss out." The move followed the AFL's approval of a complex five-club trade involving Port Adelaide, the Bulldogs, Melbourne, Hawthorn and Carlton, with multiple players and draft picks exchanged across the league.

How it is being reported

• Zak Butters joins Western Bulldogs on record-breaking $18 million AFL deal as Port Adelaide accepts compensationThe AFL’s biggest contract has reportedly been signed, with superstar Zak Butters sealing a stunning move to the club he supported as a child.The West Australian · 9 Oct, 06:41
• Zak Butters joins Western Bulldogs on record-breaking $18 million AFL deal as Port Adelaide accepts compensationThe AFL’s biggest contract has reportedly been signed, with superstar Zak Butters sealing a stunning move to the club he supported as a child.Perth Now · 9 Oct, 06:41

In this story: Zak Butters · Western Bulldogs · Port Adelaide · Geelong · Sam Darcy · Hawthorn · Carlton · Melbourne

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