Life Member and one of Carlton’s favourite sons Eddie Betts is parting ways with the Club, after accepting a lucrative offer from the Adelaide Crows.

Betts has accepted the Adelaide deal under the AFL’s free agency rules, and after evaluating the size of the contract the Carlton Football Club has decided not to match it.

The 26-year-old says it was a tough decision, because he loves the Club.

"No matter what happens, deep down inside I will always be a Blue boy," Betts said. 

“I want to say thank you to the Carlton Football Club for giving me the chance to play footy. I was overlooked in the National Draft and they gave me the opportunity.

"Over the years the Club has done a lot for me and my career, especially Shane O’Sullivan who has been like a father to me. Whenever I was down and out, Shane sent me in the right direction.

“My heart goes out to all the Carlton fans – I love them. When I’m having a bad game it’s the fans who get me through. When they shout out my name it gets me going again. I am grateful and thankful to have had a fan base like that. I want the Carlton Cheer Squad in particular to know that they will always be in my heart. 

"It’s been a tough decision and I am sad to be going." 

Betts has played 184 games for the Blues, since being recruited to the Club with pick No.3 in the 2004 pre-season draft.

In his first season at Carlton Betts was named the Club’s Best First Year Player, after playing in 19 games for the year. 

Since then the accolades have continued. In 2006 Betts won the AFL’s Goal of the Year, he was Carlton’s leading goalkicker in 2010 and ’12, has twice been named in the All-Australian squad, and was the Runner Up in the 2012 Best & Fairest count for the John Nicholls Medal.

Betts was awarded Carlton Life Membership in December 2012.  

Carlton’s GM-Football Operations Andrew McKay says it will be sad to see Betts go.

“Eddie has made a terrific contribution to the Club, both on and off the field,” McKay said.

“It has been exciting to watch his development over the past nine years – his presence at the football club will be missed and we wish him nothing but the best.”

“We would have liked Eddie to stay, however our list management strategy of putting the Club’s best interests first comes above all else.”

Carlton fans have taken to Twitter to wish the talented forward all the best.