The former Greater Western Sydney Giants midfielder spoke for the first time as an Essendon player on Friday after he was traded to the Bombers in the dying seconds of the AFL Trade Period.

"I chose the Bombers because I thought they had a really good group coming through,'' Caldwell said on the club's website.

"I spoke to Truck (coach Ben Rutten) a few times and I really like the way he goes about it.

"They've got a good, young group and it's close to home, so that's the main reason why I chose the Bombers."

The former Golden Square and Bendigo Pioneers midfielder struggled to break into the deep Giants midfield in his two years at the club.

At the Bombers he's expected to start in their rebuilding midfield group.

"They (Essendon) have said to me that I'll be playing that inside midfield role that I've been wanting to play for the last couple of years,'' Caldwell said.

"They've also said that I could be playing in different positions as well trying to be more versatile, but they're honing in on that inside midfield role."

Read more: Caldwell's elite sporting pathway to the AFL

Caldwell said it was a tough decision to move away from the Giants after 11 games.

"It wasn't an easy choice, that's for sure,'' he said.

"I had some hard conversations with Leon (Cameron), Jase (McCartney) and some of the players.

"It was more the opportunity that, hopefully, I'll be getting at Essendon.

"I spoke to Essendon early on and they were keen to get me down, so that was the turning point."

Essendon general manager of list and recruiting Adrian Dodoro was elated the club and the Giants agreed to terms.

"Jye Caldwell is a really exciting young talent and we're rapt to have him,'' Dodoro told Essendonfc.com.au.

"We've had him in our sights since he was a young guy playing at Bendigo Pioneers. He can play inside, outside, he's tough, he's got speed and kicks the ball really well.

"He's had some body issues with growth and GWS did a great job with getting him to a point where he's ready to be a really good AFL player.

"They (Giants) put up a huge fight for him which is understandable because we rate him as well, but in the end we gave up two second-round picks and received a third and fourth round back. To get it done was good."

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