The part playing and coaching deal sees Cahill don the number 17 jersey for two years, before a final, third year as an option to coach.

Cahill had travelled to New York for his medical last week with impending news of his signature at Melbourne City swirling.

Joining his first professional club in Australia, the 36-year-old was pleased to have signed on with Melbourne City, on a reported $8 million contract.

“I am incredibly excited to have signed with Melbourne City and ultimately the City Football Group.  There is real ambition and purpose here, qualities that are immensely important to me," Cahill said.

“The Club is completely attuned to the opportunity for the game in this country; investing significantly in facilities, the development of young players and in giving back at the grassroots level.  For me that makes this the ideal place to be.  I am here to contribute as much as I can to both the Club and, where possible, to the further development of football here in Australia.

“My immediate focus is on getting to know my team-mates and our pre-season preparations. I’m excited about the quality of the squad that I am joining and the opportunity to win silverware.  I’m looking forward to the challenge of testing and proving myself in this league.”

FFA CEO David Gallop, who had worked closely with Melbourne City to help bring Cahill to the A-League, believes the move is a testament of where the A-League stands in the sporting hemisphere. 

“Tim Cahill is a huge addition to the A-League and to Melbourne City FC. A player with his passion for the game, and the records that he holds for the Socceroos, is going to be a tremendous asset," Gallop said.

“The A-League is the fastest growing league in Australia. With two million people now playing football every year, the future is bright for our sport, and players like Tim Cahill are only going to accelerate that growth.

“He is a fantastic role model for young Australians who aspire to play at the top level.”

Melbourne City coach John Van't Schip cannot wait to see his latest signing in action, and to see how Cahill links up with fellow marquee Bruno Fornaroli.

“We have very ambitious targets at Melbourne City; we want to win every time we step on the pitch and in doing so we want to bring success for our fans who have been so loyal to us," Van't Schip said. 

"Tim is an important part of realizing that ambition.  The depth and breadth of his experience will be very important to us on the field and also in the dressing room.

“He is without doubt one of the most loved sports stars in this country, and I think the fact that he is back in his home country is important to the fans, and is fantastic for us as a Club.

“I see in Cahill and Bruno Fornaroli a beautiful footballing partnership - we are very focused on our pre-season preparations and the time that the team have together now is very important.”