Former Manchester City, Leicester City and Brisbane Roar midfielder Danny Tiatto has returned to the Melbourne Knights.

The Victorian Premier League club confirmed his return in a press release, saying he will be back at the club as a player for the first time since 1996.

36-year old Tiatto ended his contract with A-League club Brisbane Roar earlier this year and has now returned to his home town to continue his brilliant career in the VPL.

Tiatto, who has also had stints with Salernitana in Italy and Stoke City in England, and has appeared 23 times in the Australian national team is a major coup for Knights according to new coach Ivan Duzel.

"This is real respect," he said. "To have a legend return to the club after so many years is really something. I hope the younger boys in the squad now realise how much this club means to so many people, even if we aren't in the National League anymore."

Tiatto has signed for the 2010 season and will play for free in the red, white and blue of the Knights as an amateur player.