DEFENDER Libby Birch will depart Melbourne after the club agreed to a trade with North Melbourne on Monday.

Birch, who has played 55 games in the red and blue, will head to Arden Street alongside pick No.35, with the Demons receiving selection No.19 in return.

Melbourne AFLW List Manager Todd Patterson thanked Birch for all she has given to the club over the past five seasons.

“Libby has been one of the most highly regarded defenders in the competition and in turn, a terrific servant of our club over her journey with us,” Patterson said.

“Within the program, Libby has been a regular member our leadership group and was integral to driving the culture in the build-up to our maiden premiership in 2022.

“This deal gives her a tremendous opportunity to extend her career, which we respect, and she will forever be a part of the Melbourne family.”

Birch joined the Demons during the 2019 AFLW Sign and Trade Period, arriving from the Western Bulldogs where she had played 22 matches in the three seasons prior.

She made her club debut in the opening round of the 2020 AFL Women’s season, and recently reached the 75-game milestone during Melbourne’s final home-and-away game of the year.

The former netball, who was taken under the wing of club legend Daisy Pearce in the early stages of her career, departs having added a second All-Australian selection (Season 6) and premiership (Season 7) to her name.

Melbourne now holds two first-round selections in No.5 and 19, as well as 26, 56 and 74, in the AFLW Draft, which will be held on December 18.

“We’re really excited at the prospect of welcoming two first-round selections to the club later this month,” Patterson said.

“As we have mentioned, we want to be targeting that next wave of young talent, to continue to evolve our playing list for next season and beyond.”