Heffernan recently returned to his hometown of Sydney, and was playing with Dapto Dandaloo in the Illawarra Premier League, when asked to meet with Wanderers coach Tony Popovic.

It’s the fourth A-League club for the 33-year-old who spent four years with Central Coast Mariners before stints with Melbourne Heart and most recently Perth Glory.

“Obviously I jumped at the chance to catch up with Popa and basically had a coffee and just chatted about things – what he expected and everything like that, and how he likes to run things,” Heffernan told 2MM’s Soccer Stoppage Time.

“Everything he said was just so true and you believe him, but if you don’t he’ll make you believe him, because he’s just that kind of guy.

“He’s so determined– for me it was just like, show me where to sign. Straight away, you know, it was a very very easy decision.”

Heffernan, who is expected to be deployed as a utility defender, admitted the opportunity to play in front of Wanderers’ fanatical fans at Parramatta Stadium was a huge inducement.

“One hundred per cent – that’s one of the main drawcards for the A-League now and even just sport in Australia in general,” he said.

“What they did was absolutely amazing. (Perth) only got to go there and play once and to have the opportunity to play there week in, week out – that’s huge.

“I’ve spent a bit of time in Germany as well and actually spent a lot of time in the stands while I was in Germany and I’ve seen what the crowds are like there.

“Honestly they’re one of the biggest leagues in Europe in their supporter base and the Red and Black Bloc actually match it with some of the top leagues in Europe for their support. They’re as organised as the teams are on the pitch.

“You don’t get the full effect and the atmosphere and how loud it is until you actually go there. On TV you can’t really tell. Unless you’re actually taking a corner or something like that in front of them you don’t really get to experience it.

“I honestly can’t wait.

The Wanderers launched their preseason on Monday and Heffernan had the opportunity to train alongside the club’s star recruit, Shinji Ono – describing the former Japan international as “very focussed”.

Wanderers Executive Chairman Lyall Gorman, who knows Heffernan from his days as Mariners chairman, talked up the club’s latest recruit.

“He is a very talented left sided player and a true professional,” Gorman said.

“He is very familiar with many of our team having played beside Michael Beauchamp during their days together at the Mariners and again at Melbourne Heart.

“He will add a lot spark to the style of football we play and knowing Dean as I do, he will be very focussed on playing first eleven football. It is a delight to have him become a part of the Wanderers family.”

Heffernan tried to forge a career in Europe in 2006-07 with a loan spell at FC Nuremberg but failed to make the first team and suffered a broken leg in 2007 when back at the Mariners.

Another later stint with English League One side, Huddersfield Town, was also cut short and he joined Melbourne Heart for a season before two spells at Perth Glory.

He has twice played for the Socceroos, making his debut in the 2009 Asian Cup qualifying match against Indonesia, and a year later scoring in a 2-2 drawn against Kuwait.