Essendon Football Club is excited to confirm Ben Duscher has signed to play with the club’s VFL team in 2013.

The 25-year-old who was co-captain of Bendigo for the last two seasons has joined the Bombers new stand-alone VFL team.

Essendon VFL Operations Manager Matt Little said Duscher would play a key role in the club’s team next season.

“We are very excited to have a player of the quality of Ben joining us next season in our first year as a stand alone VFL side,” Little said.

“Ben brings great experience at the VFL level to what we would expect to be quiet a young side in our first season.”

“He is a hard bodied footballer who has great class when using the ball and we believe he can be a major asset for our team.”

Dushcer will undertake a key role as the midfield assistant coach as well as undertaking an important development-coaching role with the young VFL team.

He missed selection in this year’s pre-season and rookie draft after training with the Western Bulldogs in the off-season.

The midfielder was the 2011 Bendigo best and fairest winner and runner up in Bendigo’s best and fairest last season.