Tyrone starlet Conor McKenna is Melbourne-bound after joining Essendon on a two-year rookie deal.

McKenna, who has starred for the Tyrone minors over the past two years and was called into Mickey Harte's senior squad, has signed as a category B rookie after impressing at this week's AFL Combine Draft.

"For me it's the next step up from Gaelic... here, it's a job," McKenna - who is a younger brother of Tyrone senior Ryan - told the AFL's website.

"I definitely want it. I've put everything else aside for it. I was meant to go to university this year, but I've put that aside and put all my focus on this, so hopefully it works out and I play for at least two years and see how it goes after that."

Essendon list manager Adrian Dodoro said: "We were one of two clubs to attend the Irish Combine in December last year, and we were immediately impressed with Conor's talents. He has exceptional speed and endurance and he has a strong desire to become a professional footballer.

"His athletic profile is elite and while there is a long way to go, we really feel that Conor has the attributes to become a successful AFL player."

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