Decorated St Kilda midfielder Nick Dal Santo has joined North Melbourne as a restricted free agent.

The three-time All-Australian and runner-up in the 2011 Brownlow Medal has signed a three-year contract with the Kangaroos.

“We identified Nick as a player we wanted and we are thrilled to have finally landed him,” North’s general manager of list and player personnel Cameron Joyce said.

“He will be a valuable addition to our team for many years to come.

“Nick is an experienced, elite midfielder who will bring some more class to our list.”

Dal Santo, 29, played 260 games for the Saints after joining them as the No.13 pick in the 2001 national draft.

He joins an exodus of experienced players at St Kilda, with Stephen Milne, Justin Koschitzke and Jason Blake all retiring at the end of the 2013 season.

St Kilda expect to get a second-round draft pick as compensation for losing Dal Santo.