Melbourne Heart signs Garcia

The World Game last week revealed Garcia was undergoing a medical with Heart, the club at which he hopes to revive his Socceroos career.

The 30 year-old has represented Australia 14 times and was controversially selected as striker for the Socceroos' 2010 World Cup game against Germany.

Heart coach John Aloisi tipped his latest signing to have a big impact on the A-League.

“Richard can play a number of roles. For the national team, he played across the front line and in England he spent a considerable amount of time in the midfield, which is the role we see him playing for us,” Aloisi said. “The experience he possesses isn’t something you encounter too often.

"Having been a professional in England for 10 years at a high level and as a World Cup veteran, he will assume a leadership role on the pitch and will be an important guide for our younger players.

“We are striking an excellent balance within the squad at the moment.

"We have some exciting youngsters who are still growing as players and have added a number of established players with elite exposure and have enjoyed success.”

A product of West Ham United’s youth system, graduating alongside the likes of Manchester United star Michael Carrick and Liverpool’s Joe Cole, Perth-born Garcia is a veteran of more than 250 first team appearances for the Hammers and Hull City, for which he played 57 English Premier League matches.