Retired St Kilda AFL great Robert Harvey will join Carlton as an assistant coach.

Harvey, who played a record 383 games over 21 seasons for the Saints, was announced as the Blues' development coach.

"We are delighted that Robert has chosen Carlton ahead of other opportunities that were presented to him by AFL clubs and this reinforces the respect this club is gaining in the industry," Carlton chief executive Greg Swann said.

"Robert is a quality person who brings valuable experience to our club and is fresh out of playing having retired at the end of the 2008 season.

"Robert's record speaks for itself, he has outstanding knowledge of the game, is respected by everyone in football and he will play an important role in assisting to fast-track the development of our young players."

Harvey, 37, was a two-time Brownlow Medallist and an eight-time All Australian during his playing career.

"I am excited about the opportunity to be involved in coaching, in particular with the young list at the Carlton Football Club," Harvey said.

"In my meetings with Carlton I have been very impressed with the professionalism displayed and the exciting outlook for the future."

St Kilda CEO Archie Fraser said the Saints had offered Harvey a fulltime position for 2009, but they understood his wish to expand his experience at another club.

Collingwood also offered Harvey an assistant coaching role.

Harvey's manager Shane Casley said his client passed up the opportunity to return to his old club because he wanted to help develop young players.

"Robert has a real desire to work with the young kids and he saw Carlton being well-placed in that area, and he believes he could make a real difference," he said.

Casley said Harvey had not settled on working as an assistant coach when he played his last game, the Saints' loss to Hawthorn in the preliminary final.

"It's only been the last few weeks he's decided he wants to do that," he said.

He said Harvey's main interest was in working with young players, but he would not rule out the former champion either pursuing a career as a senior coach or returning to St Kilda.

Meanwhile, St Kilda announced they had signed small forward Stephen Milne, ruckman Michael Gardiner and young onballer Robert Eddy to new contracts.

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