Zak Butters has told Port Adelaide he plans to head to Victoria. (ABC News: Briana Fiore)
Zak Butters has requested to leave Port Adelaide via free agency.
The future of the club's three-time best and fairest winner has dominated headlines throughout the season.
The Power says it will facilitate the request whilst securing the best outcome for the club.
Port Adelaide's three-time best and fairest winner Zak Butters has requested to leave the club via free agency and return home to Victoria.
The 25-year-old dual All-Australian's future has dominated headlines all season with reports of offers of up to $18 million over eight years from Richmond, Geelong, Collingwood and the Western Bulldogs.
"I've made a decision to head home. It's obviously been one that I've wrestled with for a while now," he said.
"It's been a tough decision and one that I haven't taken lightly.
"Although I've loved my time in Adelaide … I'm probably at a stage in my life where I'd like to get back around some family and friends and enjoy some more time with them.
"There are so many special memories I'll take with me and hold with me forever … I'll be forever in debt to the football club for drafting a skinny club from Darley."
Butters said he would "always be a Port Adelaide person" and would "always value this club and what it's done for me".
"The supporters have been everything, they've always got around since day one of being drafted, even this year they've been awesome and showed nothing but love and support," he said.
"I feel like I've always tried to repay them in the right way and play football in the right way."
Zak Butters has told Port Adelaide he plans to head to Victoria. (ABC News: Briana Fiore)
In a club statement, the Power said they would now work to facilitate his request whilst securing the best outcome for the club.
