The 32-year-old joins the club off contract after terminating his employment with German side 1860 Munchen last year. Previously he has played at Feyenoord, where he was part of the 2001/2002 UEFA Cup winning squad, as well as Ajax and NAC Breda, having started his professional career at the age of 17.
“I have spent many years now playing in Europe, so it is exciting for me to travel to the other side of the globe to play professional football,” Leonardo, who has been out of contract since the end of November last year, told the club’s official website.
“The A-League is a competition that I have heard good things about, and from what I have seen on the internet Newcastle looks like a great place to live.
“The start of the A-League season is not too far away, so I look forward to getting to Australia as soon as possible to meet everyone at the Club, our fans, and to get to work,” he said.
Newcastle Jets head coach Scott Miller, who is targeting a play-off spot for the new season after a torrid season for the fans in 2014/2015, believes his newest recruit will play a big part in that ambition.
However, over the last four seasons he has struggled for game time, and was unable to become a first-team regular at Red Bull Salzburg of Austria, Hungarian club Ferencváros or second-tier German outfit 1860 Munich.
In fact, he has not played a senior match in nearly a year, having taken time away from the game after falling out with his last coach.
Miller said his recent history made Leonardo a "hungry" player, one who he reckons can call the shots in the final third for a new-look Newcastle side equally desperate to move on from last season's wooden spoon and the dark days of the Tinkler regime.
"Not only just his CV but the ability, and the passion he's shown on the telephone, and then the references and (his) research on the club and the squad and the environment, he's focused on joining us and he's looking forward to it," Miller said.
Leonardo is not due to land in Australia until mid-September but Miller had no concerns over his fitness, having told him he must be ready to play upon arrival.
"He'll have to be. I'm demanding that from him," Miller said.
"I speak to him every week and he's actually been undertaking a program for three to four weeks now that we've put in place for him.
"He's sent video clips of him training as well and he's looking well."
