Lynch confirmed one of the worst-kept secrets in the AFL today when he told reporters he wanted to play for the Tigers.

Richmond will lodge a contract, believed to be six years, for the restricted free agent with the AFL when the free agency period opens on Friday.

The Suns then have three days to match the terms of the deal and force a trade, but it is more likely they will let him walk for a compensation draft pick, expected at No.3.

Having made the difficult decision to leave the Suns after eight seasons and return home to Victoria, Lynch was heavily courted by Richmond, Hawthorn and Collingwood.

“They are three great clubs, I had to pinch myself, I was in a fairly privileged position,” Lynch said at the TAB spring carnival launch in Melbourne.

“I didn’t think there was any wrong decision there, it was just what fits best.

“I’m pretty excited to join Richmond … it will be nice to play alongside Jack Riewoldt.”

Lynch is confident he will fit in well at Punt Road having discussed his role with premiership coach Damien Hardwick.

He’s had little contact with his future teammates but did receive a text from Riewoldt after their premiership tilt ended in a preliminary final loss to the Magpies.

Tuesday’s announcement ends a difficult period for Lynch.

The 25-year-old was stripped of the Suns’ captaincy in August after he informed he would not continue his 131-game career with them.

Lynch also had to navigate a messy divorce from the club, which included a heated meeting with some senior teammates, before he was left to focus on the big decision before him.

“It was a pretty long process, I don’t really want to go into too much detail,” he said.

Lynch’s season ended after round 14 when he underwent knee surgery, which he is still recovering from.

“I’m pretty confident I’ll be fine for round one,” he said.

“I should be back running in a month.

“It will take time but I’m very confident it will be no problem at all for (the pre-season comp) and round one.”

– AAP