Essendon Football Club is excited to announce that Kyle Hardingham will be returning to the club in the VFL side for 2015.           

The 26-year-old will remain in the red and black after agreeing to a new deal with the club.

Hardingham, who was delisted at the end of 2014 season, said his passion for football is stronger than ever.

“I want to have a big year in the VFL this year and hopefully get back up to a senior level. I’ve still got a dream to make it back to the AFL,” said Hardingham.

“That being said, I really couldn’t be happier to be playing for Essendon VFL.

“I think the team they are building here have the potential to win some finals, and that’s something that is really exciting for me to be a part of.”

A native West-Australian, Hardingham revealed he did consider moving back home to continue his career.

“I thought about going home for a little while, but I feel as though I’ve got a home here in Melbourne,” he said.

“In the end though the relationships that I have with the senior coaches and the boys in the VFL here are the reason I stayed at Essendon. I love Essendon through and through and I am excited to be staying at the club in this capacity.”

Hardingham joins other 2015 VFL recruits including Marcus Marigliani, Daniel Coghlan, Alex Hickey, Liam Byrne, Sam Heavyside and ex-Lion Jarrod Polkinghorne.