The Lions had been in negotiations with Kotzur for some weeks and were yesterday allowed to officially announce the former Culcairn and Albury premiership star as its new captain-coach.

Kotzur, who originally hails from Culcairn, is no stranger to the region and was co-captain of Albury Tigers' 2009 Ovens and Murray premiership team before holidaying overseas.

Kotzur spent last season with Maribyrnong Park in the Essendon and District Football League where he was named best in the club's preliminary final loss.

The 26-year-old has always been keen to embark on a coaching career and believes GGGM is the perfect place to start.

"I've always wanted to coach and I knew the club reasonably well," Kotzur said yesterday.

"The club's got a fantastic record and I thought it would be a fabulous place to start my coaching career.

"This popped up at the right time so I thought I would jump on board.

"The club was a big factor though, I wasn't just going to go and coach anywhere."

Kotzur is good mates with the man he replaces in the top job, Mitch Carroll.

The new Lions mentor said he was extremely aware of the club's reputation in the Riverina Football League.

"Ganmain's always been a club that's up and about," Kotzur said.

"It's record speaks for itself really.

"No matter what part of the Riverina you grow up, you know of Ganmain."

Kotzur's signing comes with the added bonus that Nathan McPherson, Jarrod Conway and Mitch Steele have all committed to next season.

All three played no part of this year's campaign due to injury and work commitments.

The Lions endured a tough season and narrowly missed out on finals as they chased a record fifth-straight RFL premiership.

Kotzur said he will look to recruit some new blood to the club.

"With (McPherson, Conway and Steele) playing, plus myself, that's already four fresh faces into the club for next year," Kotzur explained.

"I'm going to try my best to add two or three more into the group but I don't think we need to add too much.

"It's more just about adding a few fresh faces to the group."

GGGM president Pete McCaig was thrilled to announce the signing of Kotzur.

"Jayden's really enthusiastic about the job and he'll be great for the club, there is no doubt about that," McCaig said.

"He was the co-captain of Albury in the O&M in their premiership year so he can obviously play.

"We've had in-house coaches for the past five years now so a little bit of fresh blood was definitely needed around the place.

"It's very exciting for the club."

McCaig paid tribute to outgoing coach Mitch Carroll, who took the club to a premiership in his first year in charge, then was "dealt a rough hand" with injuries this season.

McCaig said the Lions will be on the hunt for a key forward and key defender over the off-season.

Kotzur will slot into the GGGM midfield, while also spending time forward. He plans to move to Wagga in January.