The Hampden league export is back in navy blue, joining David Teague's coaching ranks at Carlton.

O'Keefe, a former Geelong Falcons mentor, will work closely with the Blues' young talent in development role.

The 30-year-old told The Standard he'd achieved a long-held goal upon signing with the sleeping giant.

Carlton is equal first on the list of most VFL/AFL premierships but hasn't tasted the ultimate success since 1995.

"It's very exciting and I wouldn't say that it's been a long time coming, but it's something I've been chasing for a good half a dozen years," O'Keefe said.

"It's taken its toll on a few things in life, the time commitment, trying to get there but it all paid off when I signed on."

For O'Keefe, motivation isn't hard to find.

His elite career - which promised so much when he was drafted to Sydney with pick 15 in 2006 - was cut short through injury.

A serious back injury, which required a spinal discectomy to repair three bulging discs that were causing debilitating back pain, then ended his playing career altogether in 2015.

But O'Keefe, who keeps close tabs on his beloved Reid Oval-based club, bounced back.

He masterminded a drought-breaking TAC Cup premiership for Geelong Falcons in 2017, earning a promotion to the Geelong Cats' VFL ranks at the end of 2018.

"I'm a believer that you need to have something that motivates you," O'Keefe said.

"My playing career didn't work out the way I'd dreamt and I have a burning aspiration to help young, aspiring footballers fulfill their dreams.

"It didn't happen for me but off the back of that I feel like I've lived the challenges of a young footballer.

"I've had injuries, I've moved interstate, I've had long-distance relationships.

"I've covered most of them up in Sydney and if I can help some young kids go on at Carlton, that's what I want."

O'Keefe was recruited by Carlton's newly-appointed head of development and former Brisbane hard nut Luke Power.

He met with senior coach Teague last week before signing to take up arms at IKON Park.

"We shook hands and it was deal done," O'Keefe said.

"He's such a down-to-earth, laid-back but stern guy.

"We had a conversation and by the end of it he had me eating out of his hand.

"He's the sort of guy I can't wait to coach for."

O'Keefe doesn't plan on forgetting his roots.

"Warrnambool Football Club is extremely dear to my heart," he said.

"I've been involved with their junior coaching for a while and we had them up to work with the Falcons a couple of times when I was there.

"I'll always be involved. Guys like Ken Radley in the juniors and Matt O'Brien and Simon Perry with the senior guys, they're good people to know and be involved with."

O'Keefe will start on Carlton's first day of pre-season training.