Hiariej has joined Central Coast on a two-year deal from FC Groningen. The 29-year old spent a decade with the Green-White Army in Europe, racking up 146 appearances.

Hiariej will replace retired skipper Nick Montgomery in defensive midfield. The Mariners have finished 8th, 10th and 8th in the past three seasons, but Hiariej is confident the club can end that run in 2017/2018.

"I wanted to bring a little bit of experience to the club and have a nice time," he told FourFourTwo.

"Of course play in the finals, that is the main goal of the team and my main goal. And not only to play in the finals but to win the finals.

"We have a lot of new players. The last two years for the club weren’t so good. So new, fresh players and I think we can play in the finals."

Hiareij admitted he knew little about the A-League or Australian football before making the move overseas.

"The attraction was I was playing for 10 years at the same club and I would like to have a new big adventure at the other side of the world," the midfielder said.

"I wanted to play in the MLS or Australia, then the coach Paolo he called me. He watched a game and asked if I wanted to play for the Mariners, and I said of course I wanted to play for the Mariners. The biggest for me was the new adventure, the new culture.

"I don’t know what the A-League is going to be for me. I don’t know something about the level and the stadiums, every game we have to fly, which is different to Holland."

The Dutch midfielder is one of 10 new players the Mariners have brought in for the new season, including Melbourne Victory defender Alan Baro and Spanish striker Asdrubal.

Hiareij said he is enjoying the transition to life on the Central Coast.

"It's been really good, awesome," he said.

"Where I live now in Terrigal is the most beautiful spot I’ve ever lived. The team is really nice, nice guys. A lot of new people here so, compared to last season it’s a really new team, so that’s nice to be part of."

Hiareij represented the Netherlands at both Under-17 and Under-21 level. He played in the 2005 Under-17 World Cup for the Dutch along with Sydney defender Jordy Buijs.

Hiareij described himself as a defensive midfielder who likes the ball at his feet.

"I like to control the game and I’m a creative player," he said.

"I can pass good and I can defend. I’m more a player who must get the ball to make the difference. I can play box to box."