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Exciting Brisbane Lions midfielder Michael Rischitelli has signed with the Gold Coast SUNS for its inaugural AFL season.

Rischitelli, 24, was recruited from the Western Jets in Victoria and has played 111 games for the Lions since his debut in 2005.

Gold Coast SUNS CEO Travis Auld said the announcement of the third uncontracted player to commit to the Club is another enormous step in the team’s list build for the 2011 AFL season.

“Rischitelli has had a stellar year with the Lions and is undoubtedly at the top of his game. This is another exciting announcement for the Gold Coast SUNS and to attract a player of Rischitelli’s calibre is proof we are building something special for the Gold Coast,” he said.

“We expect to continue to make announcements over the next few weeks as we finalise arrangements with players we have targeted,” he said.

“We will continue to conduct this process in line with AFL rules and regulations and with respect for the competition.”

Rischitelli has agreed to a three-year contract and will join the Gold Coast SUNS for pre-season training in November.

Gold Coast SUNS Coach Guy McKenna said as a 111 game AFL player Rischitelli is on the rise as he has taken his last 22 games this year to a higher level.

“We were very keen to deliver an inside midfielder with great skill and desire to tackle around stoppages into our mix,” he said.

“Rischitelli is much more than this, he is a very clean ball handler with excellent skills. He is of great character, reliable, and a very good worker on the training track. He will bring fantastic experience and leadership to our club.”

Rischitelli said he was excited to be joining the new Gold Coast SUNS AFL team and was looking forward to the challenge of working with the young talented playing list.

“Personally this a great opportunity for me and one that is often not available. I love Queensland so to be able to join the SUNS and be part of the excitement of a new team on the Gold Coast is going to be fantastic.”

NB: The Gold Coast SUNS has the ability to recruit one uncontracted player from existing AFL clubs under the list build provisions granted by the AFL list build sub-committee.

The Gold Coast SUNS policy remains to not discuss individual players or its recruitment process for uncontracted players. Official announcements on un-contracted players will be made when arrangements have been finalised.