The Eredivisie veteran has sprung a surprise by moving to AAMI Park.
Melbourne Heart have pulled off a coup ahead of the new A-League season by signing PSV midfielder Orlando Engelaar as a marquee player, FourFourTwo Aus report.
The 33-year-old Eredivisie veteran made just 10 appearances for the club last term with manager Philip Cocu deciding to release him after four years at the Philips Stadion, where he won a KNVB Cup in 2011/12.
Since then Engelaar’s search for new employment took him to English Premier League out West Ham in July and he featured for Sam Allardyce’s side in a 2-0 pre-season friendly win over Bournemouth.
Unfortunately, Allardyce decided not to take up the option to sign the 14-times capped Holland international and he has recently been training with former club NAC Breda to maintain fitness during the summer.
The left-footer has now been snapped up by Heart coach John Aloisi for the 2013/14 campaign to become his 10th signing of a busy off-seasonand join fellow Dutchman Rob Wielaert in Australia following his arrival from Roda JC in June.
Standing at 6ft 5in tall Engelaar will bring height and a physical presence to the midfield at AAMI Park, along with crucial experience after a career spent in one Europe’s top divisions with PSV, Twente and Breda.
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