Last year's leading Tallangatta and District league goalkicker told the Swans at training on Tuesday night he would be relocating due to employment opportunities.

Whitehead, 32, will play for reigning Goldfields Football League premier Kalgoorlie City.

"I've been trying to get a job in the mines for a while and Kalgoorlie City had some connections," Whitehead said.

"At my age I'm not getting any younger and I've got a young family.

"I wanted to get my foot in the door."

Originally from Stawell, Whitehead moved to the Border in 2015 and spent two seasons with North Albury.

He then joined rival Ovens and Murray club Wodonga for a year before joining Chiltern.

The classy forward kicked 38 goals in his first season with the Swans before stepping up as co-coach with Luke Brookes and booting 131 this year.

"I've really enjoyed it at Chiltern," he said.

"I'll miss the people a lot.

"I would have stayed there until I finished up but I thought now was the right time to move while I've still got some football currency.

"It's a pretty good opportunity."

Whitehead's departure is a huge blow for Chiltern who will now attempt to find a new playing-coach to work with Brookes.

The Swans stormed up the ladder this year before bowing out of the finals series with straight set losses to Barnawartha and Kiewa-Sandy Creek.

Whitehead expects the Goldfields competition to be a similar standard to the Tallangatta league.

"I've been told it's about the same," he said.

"There are some good players over there like there are here."