Heart signs Beauchamp

Beauchamp, 29, is part of the extended Socceroos squad hoping to be selected for the World Cup in South Africa and has spent the past four years playing in Europe, Scandinavia and the Middle East.

The former Central Coast Mariners centre-back has just fought his way back into the international reckoning, and joins Heart from United Arab Emirates-based club Al-Jazira.

"Coming to Melbourne is a great opportunity for me to get playing regularly again, and I know a lot of the boys and the coaching staff and have only heard good things about the structure of the club," Beauchamp said.

"I didn't really look into remaining overseas. I felt this was the right move for me."

Beauchamp is certain to slot into the Heart's first-team defence alongside ex-Sydney FC star Simon Colosimo.

Heart coach John van’t Schip said Beauchamp's signing - the club's 16th - will help ensure a solid defensive core, providing the necessary rearguard stability to implement the club's attacking philosophy.

"Michael has accumulated experience in some of the top competitions in Europe and Asia, and is one of the few Australians to have ever taken part in the UEFA Champions League," Van’t Schip said.

"He is an excellent athlete, has great distribution skills and is a natural leader.

”I am confident Michael will be able to provide stability and play an important role as part of the back four."

Spending stints at FC Nurnberg in the Bundesliga and Aalborg BK in Denmark's SAS League, Beauchamp has carved a distinguished career overseas, featuring in the 2008/09 UEFA Champions League, while helping his German side to the 2007 DFB Pokal Cup.