Three-time premiership coach Mick Malthouse has signed a three-year deal to become the new coach of AFL club Carlton.

Malthouse, who turns 59 on Monday, is the second most experienced coach in VFL/AFL history, having coached the Western Bulldogs, West Coast and Collingwood in 664 matches.

He has spent the 2012 season working in the media after being replaced in the top job at Collingwood by Nathan Buckley at the end of last year.

Malthouse coached West Coast to the 1992 and 1994 premiership and Collingwood to the 2010 flag.

The top job at Carlton became vacant earlier this month when Brett Ratten was sacked after the Blues failed to qualify for the finals, having been beaten by lowly Gold Coast in the final home and away round.

Carlton coach Stephen Kernahan – a close friend of Ratten – paid tribute to the incoming coach.

“We are pleased to have someone of Mick’s standing in the game and I think his record speaks for itself,” said Kernahan.