Heart swoops for teen sensation Garuccio

Young Socceroos representative Garuccio has been involved in the Australian Institute of Sport program for the past two years.

The teenager joins a host of off-season signings at Heart, including fellow youth international team-mate David Vrankovic as well as Josip Tadic, Golgol Mebrahtu, Dylan Macallister, Steven Gray, Andrew Redmayne, Richard Garcia and Patrick Gerhardt.

"I first spoke to Ben about 12 months ago and we think he is the best 17-year-old going around," Aloisi said.

"He's a quick winger who is very good one-on-one.

"The fact that he is a left-footer is a great strength and he's been doing really well with the under-20 national team in the tournaments that he has featured in recently.

Garuccio will wear the number 19 and is Heart's 20th squad member for the 2012-13 season.

"Even at 17, Ben is going to be a valuable member to our squad and feel he has a big future," Aloisi said.

"The fact that he is a left-footer is a great strength and he’s been doing really well with the under-20 national team in the tournaments that he has featured in recently.

"This signing shows that the Club is continuing to invest in youth as a priority and we focussed on having Australia’s most talented players develop at Melbourne Heart FC.