New A-League club Melbourne Heart have officially announced the signing of defender Michael Beauchamp.

The 29-year old Australia international has joined the Heart from UAE club Al-Jazira after spending the previous few seasons in Germany with Nuremberg and in Denmark with Aalborg.

Beauchamp, who is hoping to gain selection in Australia's World Cup squad, was happy to be coming back to the A-League following his stint with Central Coast Mariners from 2005 until 2007.

"Coming to Melbourne is a great opportunity for me to get playing regularly again, and I know a lot of the boys and the coaching staff and have only heard good things about the structure of the club," Beauchamp said.

"I didn't really look into it (remaining overseas). I felt this was the right move for me."