Kruse, 28, has been clubless since May when he left Chinese club Liaoning Whowin due to unpaid wages.

But the former Fortuna Dusseldorf and Bayer Levekusen forward ruled out another stint in the A-League and instead signalled a return to Europe.

 
Despite being clubless, Socceroos coach Ange Postecoglou stuck with the 53-capped player in the recent Confederations Cup which may have helped seal the deal.
 
VfL's sporting director Christian Hochstätter said Kruse was an ideal fit for the club.
 
"Robbie Kruse is a very fast player, who predominately plays as a winger and thus fits perfectly into what we required," Hochstätter told the club's website.
 
"We have watched him for a long time, and he has finally been able to present himself at the Confed Cup to a larger public.
 
"Through his time in the Bundesliga he knows the requirements in Germany, also with regard to the playing methods in the 2. Bundesliga.
 
"He speaks German, so the integration is not a problem."
 
Kruse said he was delighted with the deal: "The club is absolutely professional, the stadium is great, the atmosphere here really good.
 
"I know that from the encounters I had against VfL. The club has high goals and I hope I can do my part to meet these ambitions."