The midfielder will return to Griffith for work reasons after spending last year with the Northern Territory (NT) Thunder.

Orton expected to touch down in Griffith in mid to late November.

“I can’t wait to get back into the red and white,” Orton said.

“I obviously missed last year and it will be good to see a few of the new faces that we’ve got coming plus the old faces from when I was there.

“It will be good to have a coach like (Swans coach) Adrian Pavese there at the Swans and I’m looking forward to playing under him.”

Pavese’s excitement reflected that of Orton’s.

He can’t wait to get to work with the champion midfielder who played four seasons for the Swans from 2011-14.

“We're pretty pumped," Pavese said.

“He’s right up there with the Griffith legends.

“He’s a two time Jim Quinn medal winner and a former coach of the club.

“Knowing his credentials in the RFL –  someone of his calibre is great to have on board.”

The Swans has several more players they are looking to sign.

Pavese hoped Orton’s signature would be the first of many.

“Guy was the one we wanted first and foremost and now we're hoping that leads to a couple more signatures over the next couple of days,” Pavese said.

Orton will likely miss the start of Griffith’s pre-season training which begins on Friday, November 13.

Pavese gave a simple reason why the Swans would start so early.

“Just a change of game plan,” Pavese said.

“Under Brandon Mathews (2015 Swans coach) they had a particular style.

“I’m coming in with a different style.

“The pre-Christmas stuff will be working to the new game style.”

The signing of Orton is a positive for the Swans after some key departures to begin the off-season.

Josh Hamilton has left to coach Farrer League club Coleambally with Tom Groves following to be his assistant.

Giant ruckman Michael Griffiths has also successfully sought a release from his three-year contract to head to Victoria.

With the start of November days away, it leaves Mangoplah-Cookardinia United-Eastlakes and Ganmain-Grong Grong-Matong as the only two Riverina clubs yet to appoint a coach.

Outgoing Lions coach Jayden Kotzur is yet to decide on his future.