The 25-year-old attacking midfielder has signed a two-year loan deal from Costa Rican giant LD Alajuelense.

Nicknamed Zorro (The Fox), Hernandez is set to fill the boots of the now departed Fred.

“He was blown away by the Hyundai A-League 2007 Grand Final, both in terms of the playing standard, but more importantly, the size and quality of the crowd,” said Melbourne's Football Operations Manager Gary Cole. “He sees Melbourne Victory as an outstanding opportunity to progress his career to the next level.”

Victory Coach Ernie Merrick was equally excited.

“In just 17 appearances for the Costa Rican national side, he’s scored six goals, which is a fantastic return from a midfielder in international football. He scored twice in a World Cup qualifier against the United States to send Costa Rica to Germany last year, so what we’re dealing with here is a player of enormous pedigree who is still yet to reach his prime.

“For Carlos to choose Melbourne Victory over a number of established clubs in Europe is quite a feather in the cap of the Hyundai A-League,” he said.