Update: Sources this (Monday) morning told au.fourfourtwo.com an announcement regarding Tony Popovic is now more likely on Tuesday or Wednesday.

The deal has been a drawn-out process over a number of weeks, and will be announced publicly by the club on Monday. The World Cup Socceroo defender, who has most recently been playing in Qatar with al-Arabi, has been signed specifically as a player and has not been given marquee status by the club. Similarly, he will not take a dual role as an assistant coach / player as recent speculation has suggested.

Popovic has previously played for Sydney United, Sanfrecce Hiroshima and Crystal Palace.

With the signing now in place, the focus has returned to David Carney who continues to be linked with a move back to England. Popovic, a left-sided player, will fill the void should Carney’s exit eventuate.

Meanwhile, Sydney FC is also in advanced talks to make Robbie Fowler the club’s next marquee player. Fowler was linked to the side as a potential signing in the first months after the 2006/07 season but dropped off the radar with Philip Cocu, Jay Jay Okocha and John Aloisi emerging as other likely candidates.

According to sources, Fowler will actually arrive in Sydney as early as Monday to meet with club officials to discuss the deal. The man dubbed ‘God’ by Liverpool fans, is available as a free agent after being released by the Reds; who in turn have signed Fernando Torres from Atletico Madrid.