The Socceroo defender was part of Bert van Marwijk’s World Cup squad, but failed to see any game time in Russia. He spent the past week in Serbia finalising details of the move to the Serbian SuperLiga.

It comes just five months after the 24-year-old re-signed with Ange Postecoglou’s Yokohama F Marinos following a successful maiden season in the J-League where he was named in the Young Players Best XI.

The Knin-born Degenek told the Red Star website: "This is a great honor for me, coming to this big club, the biggest club in the Balkans, and for me personally and my family, the club for which we have always cheered.”

Degenek recalled watching the team with his father and said his first impressions of the club since arriving were “phenomenal”.

“My expectations are to give my maximum for the jersey, because nothing below the maximum is ignored" he said.

“I want to realise my dream, the dream of the club, but above all the dream of our great army of fans and play in the Champions League."