Engelaar, 33, an accomplished midfielder with a wealth of experience in the Dutch national team and with European club sides FC Twente, FC Schalke 04 and PSV Eindhoven, was announced as the club’s marquee signing earlier this month.
 
Engelaar visited the club in early August to meet with coach John Aloisi and club officials but returned to Holland before reuniting with his new team in Melbourne last Friday and has since trained three times.
 
Engelaar said he was excited about adopting a leadership role for the forthcoming season.
 
"When Melbourne Heart came in they intrigued me with what they wanted, so I wanted to be a part of that,” Engelaar said.
 
"They showed me they really wanted me; they made me see I could be important in areas for the other boys and bring something extra to the team.
 
“That's what really excited me, I wanted to be a part of that.
 
"I've got a lot of responsibility with the team, to help the guys, so I want to do well.”
 
Aloisi said that Engelaar – who stands at nearly two metres tall - would be used to control the tempo of the game at Heart this season.
 
“We know his qualities; even though he’s a big boy, he’s very good on the ball,” Aloisi said.
 
“His touch is good and he knows the right decision to make; when to play a through ball or when to keep it.”