collingwood fc seal blockbuster $3m deal for ben king
Melbourne, June 22, 2025 — In a sensational development that has sent shockwaves through the AFL world, Collingwood Football Club has officially secured the signature of Gold Coast Suns star Ben King in a landmark $3 million deal. The 24-year-old forward, long courted by several clubs, will now don the famous black and white in what is being hailed as one of the biggest trades in recent Collingwood history.
Club President Jeff Browne confirmed the news in a statement released this morning, describing the deal as “a transformational move for our football club.” The agreement, finalised late last night after weeks of negotiations, will see King join the Magpies on a five-year contract reportedly worth around $600,000 annually.
“We’re thrilled to welcome Ben King to the Collingwood family,” Browne said. “Ben is an elite talent, a proven goal-kicker, and a game-changer who perfectly aligns with our long-term vision. His presence in our forward line will be enormous.”
The move ends months of speculation surrounding King’s future. The 202cm forward, who kicked 47 goals for the Suns in 2024 and was among the league’s top five key forwards, had been linked with both Melbourne clubs and interstate offers. But Collingwood’s bold pitch and financial commitment ultimately proved decisive.
Sources close to the negotiations revealed that the Magpies were aggressive from the outset, making it clear to King and his management that he was their No.1 target this offseason. The lure of premiership contention, a massive fanbase, and a high-performance environment under coach Craig McRae were reportedly key factors in King’s decision.
Speaking to reporters outside the AIA Centre, King expressed his excitement about the next chapter in his career.
“It’s an incredible honour to join such a historic club,” he said. “I’ve admired the Pies from afar for a long time, and to now be part of this group is really special. I can’t wait to get to work, meet the boys, and do everything I can to help bring more success to this club.”
Collingwood, who finished third on the ladder in 2024 and fell just short in a preliminary final, will be hoping King provides the missing piece in their forward structure. The high-flying forward is expected to form a lethal combination with Jamie Elliott, Beau McCreery, and young gun Ash Johnson.
Meanwhile, Gold Coast Suns have wished King well, acknowledging his contribution to the club since being drafted in 2018.
“While we’re obviously disappointed to see Ben go, we respect his decision and thank him for everything he has given to the Gold Coast,” Suns GM of Football Wayne Campbell said.
AFL analysts are already calling the move a game-changer. Fox Footy’s David King labelled it “one of the biggest player moves of the decade,” while former Collingwood great Nathan Buckley said the signing could be “the key to another Magpie flag.”
With the 2025 season still months away, one thing is certain — the Ben King era at Collingwood has officially begun.
