Top scorer in the double title-winning Roar side of 2010/11, Barbarouses arrives back in Australia on Sunday ready to hit the park with his new teammates the following day.

The gifted forward was released from the final year of his contract with Russian side FC Alania after spending last season on loan with Greek Superleague side, Panathinaikos.

Postecoglou told the Victory website: “We are delighted to have Kosta on board with us at Melbourne Victory and he will add even more attacking flair to our team this season.

"Kosta has plenty of pace, great technical ability and is a proven scorer, having netted 12 goals the last time he played in the A-League.

“While he’s only 23, he has made over 50 appearances at Brisbane Roar and Wellington Phoenix, so he’s certainly aware of what is required to perform at this level, and I know he’s excited to be returning to the A-League.”

Barbarouses played some of his best football under Postecoglou and the decision to reunite with his former mentor was a “no-brainer” according to his agent Ritchie Hinton.

“Obviously Ange knows him inside out and gets the best out of him,” Hinton said.

“It wasn’t a case of having to convince him (about the move) it was pretty obvious it was a great idea.

“It was Ange that provided that platform to make that first move to Europe so obviously Ange gets the best out of him.

“It just shows how much faith Melbourne Victory have got in him. To get a visa spot and a three-year-deal tells you how highly (Postecoglou) rates him.”

At 17 Barbarouses was a foundation player at Wellington Phoenix. He was snapped up by Brisbane Roar in 2010, named in that season’s A-League All-Star team and surprised many when he left the champs for a three-year deal in the Russian second tier.

Hinton said while the player was disappointed at the lack of game time he had no regrets about going abroad.

“He’s had some amazing experiences that he wouldn’t swap for the world - playing the Olympiakos derby, and playing along some great players at Panathinaikos in front of massive partisan crowds.

“That Athenian derby was an amazing experience and he played 90 minutes of that. He played Europa League as well when he was playing for the Russian team, Alania. Not many players in the A-League can say they’ve played in one of the biggest European derbies and also the Europa League.

“Although he would have liked to have played more games you can’t replicate the kind of experience that he’s had it’s only going to make him a better player.”

In May, Barbarouses spoke glowingly of the opportunity to line up for his childhood heroes in the Greek Superleague

“It really was a dream come true,” he told au.fourfourtwo.com. “I have been a Panathinaikos fan all my life and once the opportunity came up I didn't think twice.

And of lining up in the derby of eternal enemies: “It was like nothing I have ever experienced before. For the fans this is the game they live for and they are very passionate to say the least.”