After being denied a trade last year, 27-year-old Ridley got his wish for a fresh start after Essendon and Geelong agreed to a deal on Wednesday.
Geelong gave up utility Jack Bowes, a 2027 first-round pick and 2028 second-round pick to acquire Ridley.
Pick No.60 in this year's draft and a 2028 fourth-round selection will come back to the Cats from the Bombers.
Ridley, who was signed with Essendon until the end of 2029, arrives at the Cattery after managing just 26 games in his past three seasons following recurring injuries.
The intercepting defender won Essendon's best and fairest in 2020 and was selected in the 40-man All-Australian squad that season.
Ridley was confident he could get his body right at Geelong and return to his best.
"They have a really good history of getting guys in my position back," he told Trade Radio.
"You've seen what they've done with Jack Martin over the last couple of years."
At 28, Bowes joins his third AFL club after he was drafted by Gold Coast with pick No.10 in 2016.
The 152-gamer was a regular in Geelong's side across his first three seasons and played in their 47-point loss to Brisbane in the 2025 grand final.
But he fell out of coach Chris Scott's favour this season, featuring in just nine AFL games.
Essendon have not sat on their hands since the trade period opened on Monday, executing a trade to send Zach Merrett to Hawthorn after denying the former captain a move last year.
The trade was such a whirlwind that Merrett still hadn't left the Bombers players' group chat by Wednesday morning.
"I didn't know it would happen that quickly but I knew it wasn't going to be like it was last year," Merrett told reporters at the media launch of the Caulfield Cup Carnival.
The 31-year-old midfielder said re-signing with Essendon on a long-term extension was a "live option" at the start of the season but became less "realistic" after the Bombers sacked Brad Scott and slumped to the wooden spoon.
Merrett was drawn to the Hawks by the allure of challenging deep into finals and working under coach Sam Mitchell.
"I have coaching aspirations after footy," he said.
"So to be in an environment with a stable coach and stable club, I'm really keen to learn as much as I can and hopefully give my best footy as well the next four or five years."
Crafty forward Miers, meanwhile, is set to stay at Geelong despite undergoing a medical with West Coast before heading on an overseas holiday.
His manager Liam Pickering on Wednesday categorically ruled out a move to the Eagles and said he was unlikely to play for anyone but Geelong next season.
The Cats have already recruited ex-GWS skipper Toby Greene as a free agent and are trying to thrash out a deal for contracted St Kilda ruckman Rowan Marshall.
Marshall wants out of Moorabbin for a second straight year after falling behind Tom De Koning as the Saints' first-choice ruckman and playing predominantly forward-ruck in 2026.
Brisbane have confirmed Will McLachlan has requested a trade to Melbourne. The 21-year-old forward has played seven AFL games since being selected by the Lions in the 2024 mid-season rookie draft.
"The club respects McLachlan's request and will work towards facilitating an outcome that best reflects his value to the Brisbane Lions," the club said in statement.
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