Daniel Wells says Nick Dal Santo will bring class, experience and leadership to North Melbourne – and perhaps even save him from being tagged so much.

Dal Santo joined North from St Kilda as a restricted free agent on Friday after protracted negotiations between the clubs, with the Saints receiving a second-round compensation pick, No. 25 overall.

Dal Santo, who turns 30 in February, was a key member of the Saints' 2009-10 Grand Final teams and an All Australian in 2005, 2009 and 2011

Speaking from Cavan, Ireland, ahead of the first Test of the International Rules Series on Sunday morning (AEST), Wells said Dal Santo would be a welcome addition to North's midfield or across half-back. 

But the Australian captain suggested Dal Santo's composure in tight games – the Roos' achilles heel in 2013 – might be the most significant thing he brought to the club.

"We've got a pretty young midfield, so Nick will add a bit of experience there and I reckon he'll have a lot of leadership as well," Wells said.

"There were a lot of games we lost (in 2013) when we sort of ran around with our heads chopped off for two or three minutes and that cost us.

"So he'll add to our experience in those tight situations."

The Roos signed Dal Santo to a three-year deal and Wells said both the club and its new signing were confident he had at least that long left in the game.

"He's very durable, he's played a lot of footy and he believes that he's got a lot of footy left in him and so do we," Wells said.

Asked whether Dal Santo's arrival at Aegis Park might mean less tags for him in 2014, Wells said with a laugh that he hoped so.

"That's probably another good reason to get him in," he said.

"But even if I still take the tags and he gets off the hook and he plays extremely well and we get a victory, I'll be happy with that."