Port Adelaide swingman Dougal Howard will join the red, white and black after a deal between the St Kilda and Port Adelaide Football Clubs was reached earlier today.

Howard was part of a trade that saw teammate Paddy Ryder, pick No. 10 and a future fourth-round pick come to Moorabbin.

St Kilda handed over picks No. 12, 18 and a future third-round selection in exchange.

The highly-rated Howard joins St Kilda after 43 games for the Power, where he emerged as a promising key position talent.

BROWSE PACKAGES | 2020 memberships now on sale!

The 199cm utility made his debut in 2016 before a knee injury sidelined him for the majority of the 2017 season.

After a break-out 2018 campaign playing predominantly as a key defender, Howard was given a leadership role in 2019 which saw him captain the Power in Round 9.

Head of List Management James Gallagher said Howard could become one of the club’s key pillars for years to come.

“Dougal is a serious talent and it’s exciting to bring in a player of his quality,” Gallagher said.

He has already proved he can mix it with the best as both a key defender and a forward, but we see him as player who is only going to get better.

"He has great agility and speed for a guy of that size, and he’s also a young leader – we expect to continue to develop that facet of his game under the likes of Jarryd Roughead and Billy Slater.

“At 23, Dougal will join a host of guys at the same stage of their careers.”

Howard said he was excited to wear the red, white and black.

“It’s a great time to be joining the Saints,” Howard said.

2019 Trade | Ryder becomes a Saint

“They have a lot of talented young players coming through together, and I’m looking forward to being a part of that.

“I loved my time at Port Adelaide, but I’m looking forward to the next stage of my career.”

Howard was originally selected with pick No. 56 in the 2014 National Draft.