(AAP) Brisbane rugby league star Karmichael Hunt says he's very excited after signing a three-year deal with the new Gold Coast AFL franchise in a sensational code switch.

The Gold Coast announced on Wednesday that Hunt would join them in May next year after exploring an option to play a stint of rugby union overseas.

The 22-year-old will be the first rugby league international to play Australian Rules football at the highest level in a move which will rock the NRL.

"I just thought it was time for a new challenge," said Hunt, who will play out the remainder of the 2009 NRL season with the Broncos.

"It's an exciting time in my life and I'm looking forward to 2011.

" ... If I had to leave Brisbane then I preferred to change codes rather than change teams as I did not want to play against the Brisbane Broncos.

"For me this is about the challenge of playing AFL at the highest level.

"The Gold Coast Football Club has given me a great opportunity to be part of its journey to AFL in 2011.

"I played AFL as a teenager and I am really excited by the challenge to change codes and still play at the elite level and for a Queensland team in a national competition.

"I can't wait."

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