Port Adelaide star Zak Butters has announced he will be leaving the club

Port Adelaide star Zak Butters will leave the club, ending ongoing speculation of his future in South Australia.

“Port Adelaide has been informed by Zak Butters and his management that he intends to exercise his rights as a restricted free agent and explore a return home to Victoria,” Port said in a statement on Monday.

“Zak has been an outstanding servant to the football club since debuting in 2019.

“He is a three-time John Cahill Medallist and dual All-Australian and we thank him for everything he has given to Port Adelaide.”

Butters is in the final year of his contract at Alberton and is widely expected to spark a war for his signature at season’s end.

Several Melbourne clubs are reportedly keen to sign up Butters, including Geelong and the Western Bulldogs.

Collingwood chief executive Craig Kelly has previously said the Pies were considering a move for Butters.

“We’d be negligent not to be (helping list manager) Justin Leppitsch and his team, with support from both the board and ourselves, talking to anyone, and Zak’s definitely one of those players,” Kelly said.

”(Butters is) a great player, a great person, and he’s coming back to Victoria and we’d like him to consider our club.”

Originally published as Port Adelaide star Zak Butters has announced he will be leaving the club