Milicevic joined Perth Glory in 1999, but headed to FC Zurich in the Swiss Super League two years later before enjoying stints at Basle, Thun and Young Boys - spending a total of five years abroad after scoring for Perth Glory in the 2000 NSL Grand Final.

The 26-year-old Australia defender will rejoin former coach Ernie Merrick for the A-League title defence and AFC Champions League challenge after enjoying Champions League and UEFA Cup football in Europe.

"It's great to be back. I was in touch with Ernie Merrick and (football operations manager) Gary Cole over the previous years and they've always wanted me to come back," Milicevic revealed.

"With all the success of the Hyundai A-League and the opportunity to play in front of family and friends again, I thought `why not?`

"I don't look at this as a step back or as the end of my career, I've still got a lot of years ahead of me and hopefully with Victory, and even with Australia, I can keep growing as a player.

"My brother and my friends go to every game. I've been following it on the internet and it's been awesome.

"The fans are amazing - they seem to be very passionate, like in Europe, and I can't wait to play at Telstra Dome in front of them."

Milicevic, who was a former student of Merrick's at the Victorian Institute of Sport, has already begun his own personal training programme in preparation for the new A-League season.

"I can play in defence or midfield. Ernie wanted me to come back due to my versatility and ability to play in various positions. Whatever role it is, the main focus is the team and what I can do to help them," he said.

"I've had some amazing highs and some terrible lows. I guess that's football or life in general.

"Playing in the Champions League and captaining my side in the UEFA Cup was great, and being part of the national team in different tournaments and different stages was also great."

After representing Australia at the 2005 Confederations Cup and being selected in the squad for the World Cup qualifier against Uruguay, Milicevic wants more of the smae

"My first priority is doing my best for Victory. I think once I start performing for Victory everything will start taking care of itself. I love playing for Australia and I hope to play for Australia again," he added.