Star Geelong recruit Patrick Dangerfield says it will be nice to pull on the jumper of the team he supported growing up after his trade to the Cats was completed on day one of the 2015 NAB AFL Trade Period.

He officially became a Cat after Geelong traded picks No.9, No.28 and youngster Dean Gore to Adelaide in exchange for Dangerfield and pick No.50. 

"I sit here now a very, very happy Geelong player," he said. 

The 25-year-old said the chance to play football near where he grew up drove his decision to leave Adelaide after eight seasons and 154 games.

"It is combining the two things that I love, which is family and obviously football has been a huge part of my life, so I'm lucky enough that Geelong is 45 minutes from home," Dangerfield said.

After a brilliant year that saw Dangerfield win the Crows' best and fairest, finish sixth in the Brownlow Medal and be named All Australian for the third time, he told the Crows he wanted to exercise his free agency rights and join Geelong. 

He said the past couple of months had been a whirlwind and he was glad the deal had been completed so quickly.

"It's nice that it has been done on day one of the trade period; (it) doesn't surprise me that it has been because they are two great clubs," Dangerfield said.

The acquisition of Dangerfield and West Coast's free agent Scott Selwood on day one of the trade period has lifted expectations that the Cats will return to premiership contention.

Dangerfield said he was aware of the expectations but football success was built on the back of teams rather than individuals.

"When it comes to experiencing success and winning games of footy, it is never done on the back of one person," Dangerfield said.

"No club can do that. It is done through hard work, a good work ethic and the contribution of an entire playing list." 

Cats coach Chris Scott said Dangerfield's arrival would help the club get better but he said only time would tell how significant his arrival would be. 

Dangerfield said he wouldn't change any part of his career to date and said he loved every minute he spent in Adelaide and with the Crows. 

But it was clear why he was excited to be at Geelong.

"I have got 100-odd Dangerfields and other relatives around the Geelong and Surf Coast area," Dangerfield said.

"It will be nice to surf and fish and then cruise into Geelong and play footy so there is a good work-life balance, I think."

As to what number Dangerfield might wear now he has joined the Cats, he has no idea.

"It's not really a concern at this stage to be honest. I'm not sure what is available but I'm sure we'll get to that at some stage," he said.