Retired North Melbourne great Brent Harvey has agreed to return to Arden Street in a mentoring role.
Harvey reluctantly announced his retirement at the end of the season after he was told he wouldn't be offered a new contract for 2017 along with Drew Petrie, Nick Dal Santo and Michael Firrito .
The AFL games record holder didn't hide his disappointment at the shock decision and briefly considered continuing his 432-game career at another club.
But the 38-year-old, unable to bring himself to play in another jumper, will return to the club to mentor the Roos' young talent.
"I'm really happy to be returning to Arden Street," Harvey said from a family holiday in the United States.
"I'm looking forward to seeing the next generation of players come through and really start making their mark on the competition.
"I'll take a hands-on role with them over the next two years helping to guide them and be there as a support mechanism in terms of their on-field and off-field development.
"I just want North to be successful and to remain a part of the team is really exciting and I can't wait to get started."
Harvey passed Hawthorn legend Michael Tuck's previous record mark of 426 games in round 19 when the Roos defeated St Kilda at Etihad Stadium.
He was still playing at a high level and believed he could continue to do so with North, but will instead play with his brother Shane at North Heidelberg in the Northern Football League.
Petrie is still hoping to sign with West Coast as a delisted free agent and Dal Santo is considering off-field roles, while Firrito also announced his retirement.
Harvey will also work with the club's junior clinic program, as well as its father-son and next generation academies.
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