Hawthorn have landed a last-minute trade for Gold Coast gun Jaeger O’Meara, pulling off the biggest deal of the AFL trade period with just minutes to spare.

O’Meara will depart the Suns in exchange for Hawthorn’s No.10 pick in this year’s draft, as well as two second-round selections in next year’s draft.

The 22-year-old was the biggest target in this year’s trade period despite being sidelined for the past two years with ongoing knee problems.

“It has been a lengthy process and we are rapt that we can now officially welcome him to our club,” Hawthorn list manager Graham Wright said on Thursday.

“At only 22 years of age he is an exciting prospect and has many years of good football ahead of him.

“He has undergone some recent injury troubles, however we are confident that our medical and conditioning staff can work with Jaeger to see him produce his best football.”

The Suns and Hawks had been locked in a bitter dispute over O’Meara’s value, with Gold Coast chairman Tony Cochrane angrily rejecting the Hawks’ previous offer of picks 10 and 48.

They threatened to send O’Meara to the draft if the Hawks couldn’t offer a suitable deal but relented with just 10 minutes remaining before the deadline.

“We had been clear with our expectations to Hawthorn throughout the trade period and to their credit they worked incredibly hard, especially late in the piece, to satisfy our needs,” Suns football boss Marcus Ashcroft said.

“As a result we have been able to secure a significantly stronger hand next year which we can either use at the draft, or during the exchange period like we did this year to secure Pearce Hanley.

“Jaeger has played a key role in establishing and growing the Gold Coast Suns, and we wish him all the very best in the future.”

The Suns now hold picks 4, 6, 8 and 10 in this year’s draft.