Fermanagh and Erne Gaels' Ultan Kelm has joined AFL side Fremantle Dockers as a Category B rookie ahead of the 2022 season.

Kelm has featured at half back, midfield and half forward for Fermanagh and his loss will be a big blow to new Fermanagh manager Kieran Donnelly.

The 21 year old Erne star has been eager to try his hand with the oval ball and was a standout performer and interviewee at the 2019 AFL Europe Combine, impressing with his 2.87 second 20 metres sprint.

The Belleek man will now get his opportunity with the Perth club.

Head of Player Personnel at Fremantle, David Walls said Kelm was a long-term prospect with high potential.

“Ultan’s been involved in the AFL Combines in Ireland and he’s interviewed extremely well. He’s desperate for an opportunity, he’s professional and he’s a really good athlete who plays with a lot of confidence and rebounds off half back,” Walls said.

“What’s impressed us most is how proactive he’s been with following up with information, watching games and his understanding of the game.

“We’ve got all of his athletic data, which is off the charts, and he’s provided us with plenty of footage of him practicing and kicking.”

Walls said Kelm has worked with former Collingwood player Martin Clarke who now works closely with players looking to make the switch from GAA to Australian Rules.

“He’s been using an AFL footy for the last couple of years and practicing his skills. He’s still got a long way to go but he’s made some great gains in the last two years and is incredibly motivated,” Walls said.

“He’s worked with Martin Clarke in Ireland, who has assisted us in this process as well with information and training him. It’s been mixed historically with players from Ireland, but it could take a couple of years before we could expect to see him playing at AFL level.”