The towering Dutchman and former international was released by the Eredivise powerhouse after making 10 appearances for the club last season.

Engelaar, 33, trialed with English Premier League side West Ham last month and played in a 2-0 preseason win against Bournemouth.

At 1.98 metres the left-footer is an imposing presence in the box and known for his heading ability. He had been training with his former club NAC Breda ahead of the new season.

Engelaar spent his youth career at Feyenoord and has also played for FC Twente. He was capped 14 times for the Netherlands and made his last appearance for the national team in 2010.

Today Melbourne Heart head coach John Aloisi said he was delighted to bring in a player of such international pedigree and overall football quality.
 
“I am confident that Orlando will be one of the most accomplished midfielders that has come to play football in Australia,” said Aloisi.
 
“The club has worked hard for a number of seasons to attract a player who can dominate and control matches from midfield and we believe that we have found that player.”
 
“You don’t pull the strings in the midfield for the Dutch national team unless you have some special qualities. We can’t wait for the season to get started and, with this signing, believe that we have given football fans something to get really excited about.”
 
Engelaar recently spent a week in Melbourne meeting the club’s coaches, players and staff before returning to the Netherlands to make a final decision.
 
“The club was able to show Orlando around the city and arrange for him to spend some time at training, so he knows the technical level and knows what we as coaches will expect of him”, said Aloisi.
 
“Meeting Orlando, and hearing his views on football and his motivations for coming to Australia, makes me very excited about the impact he will have on our club and the Hyundai A-League.”
 
Engelaar will arrive back in Melbourne late next week when he will immediately commence training upon joining his new team-mates.