Melbourne Heart have secured the signature of Hajduk Split midfielder Josip Skoko. The former Australia international has become the 17th player to sign for the new A-League club as they continue to strengthen their inaugural squad with quality.

The 34-year old has played his entire 15-year professional career in Europe with clubs such as Croatia's Split, Genk in Belgium, Genclerbirligi in Turkey, Wigan Athletic and Stoke City in England before returning to his original club in Hajduk.

Heart coach John van 't Schip said the capture of Skoko was a major coup for the club as he is an experienced and professional player.

"To be able to entice a player of Josip's quality back to Australia is a real sign of the momentum Melbourne Heart FC has built over the last few months," he said.

"Josip is a wonderful footballer. He is perfectly suited to the collective football we want to play and the professionalism we want to show. He is a winner, but most importantly, a winner who is known for his sportsmanship.

"Watching Josip play in Europe over the Christmas break reinforced my belief in his ability to take our club to the level we need to be at, to be competitive from the first match of the season."