Glenelg SANFL premiership captain Chris Curran signs at Adelaide Footy League club Prince Alfred Old Collegians

He captained Glenelg to a drought-breaking premiership and now Chris Curran has signed at a high-flying Adelaide Footy League club. See where here.

Reigning Adelaide Footy League premier Prince Alfred Old Collegians has lured former Glenelg skipper Chris Curran to Park 9.

The Bays premiership captain and 2021 Advertiser SANFL Team of the Year member was unveiled as the Old Reds’ star recruit on Friday.

Curran, 29, will add to an already star-studded PAOC side which marched to an emphatic division one flag in September.

The defender said balancing his work commitments as a doctor, expanding his knowledge in coaching and joining a successful club were factors in the move.

New Prince Alfred Old Collegians recruit Chris Curran with Old Reds playing coach Craig Pitt. Picture: Prince Alfred Old Collegians Football Club

He will also link up with Old Reds playing coach Craig Pitt after playing together in their early days at the Tigers.

“Finishing at Glenelg, I probably knew it was going to be my last season just because of my work commitments next year,” said Curran, who has finished his studies and will take up a full-time position at the Royal Adelaide Hospital.

“We didn’t finish too well with the grand final but to leave the club in a strong position, I was content with that.

“What attracted me was the quality of the div one competition, the quality of the club and my passion for the game isn’t as much in the player space anymore, but in the coaching, teaching and leadership side of things. I think I’ve got a good opportunity to expand my skills in that at PAOC.”

PAOC co-president Jim Parkinson said Curran’s signing was key to the club in its endeavour to have sustained success in division one.

His experience and leadership will also be valuable with premiership players Tom Brinsley, Tom Bartlett and Ryan Tromans retiring following the grand final victory.

Curran captained Glenelg to its 2019 SANFL flag. Picture: Tom Huntley

“To be able to have a bloke like Chris Curran come into our side will go a long way to helping the younger players coming through to stand up,” Parkinson said.

“You don’t achieve what he has at SANFL level without picking up a hell of a lot of knowledge along the way.

“The fact there’s been so many quality ex-SANFL players like Chris join the Adelaide Footy League – whether that be in division one or four – I think it’s an enormous positive for the league.

“The quality of football is very good and it does attract high-quality players.”

Former Sydney and Port Adelaide forward Sam Gray (Port District), ex-North Melbourne player Brad McKenzie (Payneham Norwood Union) and Redlegs stalwart Cam Shenton (Golden Grove) have been just some of the big name signings at Adelaide Footy League clubs so far this off-season.