Adelaide recruit Izak Rankine has opened up on the first few days of pre-season as a Crow and says it is “almost like being re-drafted”.

The 22-year-old grew up in Adelaide supporting the Crows but was drafted to the Suns in 2018 and spent the past four seasons playing footy in the Sunshine state.

Rankine, who was traded to the Crows in October, spoke to AFC Media on Wednesday, after completing day three of pre-season at his new Club.

“Everyone has made me feel really welcome and the boys have really gotten around me,” Rankine said.

“I’ve really enjoyed the past couple of days and even when I was doing a bit of off-season running with the boys, that was great.

“I’ve now built a relationship with them and I'm sure that’s going to get even tighter, so I’m very excited for the year ahead.”

The exciting forward’s pre-season at West Lakes has, however, started off light, as he continues to recover from shoulder surgery which he underwent in August.

But Rankine said the recovery was well and truly on track.

“The shoulder is progressing really well, better than expected,” Rankine said.

“I’m not doing contact drills, yet, but it’s all going well and it’s been fun seeing all the boys.

“It’s also been really good that the older boys have come in early and are getting around the first to four years, lifting the energy around training.”

Rankine said he was keen to eventually move into the Crows’ midfield and building up his fitness was a top priority.

“I want to build my tank up more, it’s pretty good at the moment, but I want to drift into the midfield, so my main goal for pre-season is to get as fit as possible,” Rankine said.

“I think the four years up on the Gold Coast conditioned me pretty well and when I come back to Adelaide I can run really well.

“The main goals are just to get really fit and put some muscle on.”