MANGOPLAH-Cookardinia United-Eastlakes has lost its finest young talent with Hunter Lloyd signing with Ovens and Murray League club North Albury.

Lloyd established himself as one of Riverina Football League's most exciting prospects this season and hopes to continue his football development with the move to Albury.

Lloyd did pre-season training with North Albury last year but decided to stay at MCUE.

The 19-year-old has now decided the time is right to make the move.

"I did pre-season with them last season gone," Lloyd said.

"My cousin plays down there and they offered me to do pre-season then asked me to play.

"I wasn't ready to move down last year with my job and that but I told them that I would probably move down the next year."

The decision to stay an extra season at MCUE paid off as Lloyd enjoyed an outstanding year.

He finished second in the Goannas' best and fairest, behind Col Sanbrook, in a year where they made it through to the RFL grand final for the first time.

Lloyd was also rewarded with representative selection.

Lloyd made centre-half-back his own and reguarly took down the competition's best key forwards.

He can also swing forward with great effect and will prove a quality acquisition for a young North Albury squad.

Similarly, his loss will also prove significant for MCUE.

"The hardest thing was telling the fellas," Lloyd said.

While it was a tough call to make, Lloyd is looking forward to the challenge ahead.

"I'm really excited," he said.

"It will be good to see how I go.

"I think having that one more year here will make it easier.

"Even if I'm only playing seconds down there, it's going to be just as good as footy as firsts here."

Lloyd made his decision to link with North Albury before the appointment of Chris Daniher at MCUE last month.

A fourth year apprentice, Lloyd has been given a job transfer to Wodonga and will make the move next weekend.

North Albury, coached by Jason Akermanis, has hinted they may look to play Lloyd through the midfield.

He is MCUE's third player loss since its grand final defeat to Collingullie-Ashmont-Kapooka.

His move comes shortly after Coolamon pair Ben Fixter and Mitch Stephenson also made the move to the O&M, signing with Wodonga Bulldogs.