FORMER Brisbane Lions midfielder Josh Clayton has signed with Wodonga for the next two seasons.
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In arguably the Bulldogs' biggest off-season coup, Clayton was lured to John Flower Oval after playing with coach Jordan Taylor in Southport's 2018 flag.
The 24-year-old is the son of North Melbourne list manager and former Fitzroy player Scott Clayton.
Clayton will play some matches for North Melbourne's VFL side next season before joining Wodonga on a full-time basis in 2022.
"Personally, Josh was in our top two players at Southport and his form was very good for Werribee as well last year," Taylor said.
"He will play a handful of games for North Melbourne's reserves and the rest with us.
"It can work to our advantage as Josh will have a VFL pre-season and come back cherry-ripe to join us.
"He's a good size and really smooth across the ground.
"He's got that AFL experience so he'll be great for the boys."
Clayton played for the Sandringham Dragons in 2014 and was picked up by Brisbane with selection 86 under the father-son role in the draft later that year.
He debuted for the Lions in 2016 and played two matches before being delisted at the end of the 2017 season.
Clayton then joined Southport, finishing third in the league's Most Valuable Player award and being named in the NEAFL Team of the Year.
In 2019, he joined Werribee and averaged over 20 possessions in 18 matches.
Taylor's connections have been a godsend for Wodonga with the former Murray Bushranger instrumental in the signing of a handful of players.
Cody Szust, Steve Murray, Sam Jewell, Zac Brain, Harry McKimmie, Mitch Dinneen, Harry Pole and Hudson Garoni have also committed.
Wodonga, who will have three more sessions before the Christmas break, is shaping as a big improver after finishing on the bottom of the ladder in 2019.