New Kangaroo Caleb Daniel says he's excited to embrace a fresh challenge at North Melbourne after a long tenure with the Western Bulldogs.

Daniel spent 10 seasons at the Kennel, winning a premiership in 2016 and an All-Australian blazer and club best and fairest award in 2020 before being dealt to Arden Street for pick 25 in the 2024 Continental Tyres AFL Trade Period.

Although the former Bulldog found it difficult to depart, the 192-gamer told NMFC Media that he felt "like an 18-year-old again" when the warm reception from his new teammates came through following the official trade announcement.

"You're getting text messages from the young guys, even 'LDU' (Luke Davies-Uniacke) and those players," he said.

"The really pleasing thing is that a lot of the guys were really excited to play with me and be able to experience climbing the ladder altogether.

"Hopefully I can bring that experience along and push the club in a forward matter quicker."

When deciding whether North Melbourne was where he wanted to play his footy next, the pitch of being able to connect with the club's young guns on-field was a strong one in Daniel's view.

"Harry Sheezel, George Wardlaw and these young guys coming through, they're playing some really good footy and they're only going to progress more," he said.

"That was the exciting prospect for me."

Another intriguing aspect for Daniel was the chance to play under senior coach Alastair Clarkson.

"I came into the system at the end of 2014 and Hawthorn won the flag in 2015 and had done the three-peat, so you know how highly valued he is as a coach," Daniel said.

"For him to express some want and attraction to my playing ability was really exciting for me."