Melbourne Heart have signed Socceroo Richard Garcia to a one-year A-League contract.
Garcia, 30, a former English Premier League player with West Ham and Hull City, will join Heart for the 2012/13 season.
Heart head coach John Aloisi said he was delighted Garcia will join the likes of Josip Tadic and Patrick Gerhardt at the club for the upcoming A-League season.
“”Richard can play a number of roles. For the national team, he played across the front line and in England he spent a considerable amount of time in the midfield, which is the role we see him playing for us,” he said.
“The experience he possesses isn’t something you encounter too often. Having been a professional in England for 10 years at a high level, and as a World Cup veteran, he will assume a leadership role on the pitch and will be an important guide for our younger players.”
Garcia has represented Australia 14 times including at the 2010 World Cup in South Africa.
Stevo
Roar Rookie
LOL, you're talking about fantasy football not reality!
MV Dave
Guest
Ok so with Gacia it will be 4-1 to MV in the Derby instead of 4-0!
wisey_9
Roar Guru
agreed. lets string together a few solid, incident free seasons before tinkering with the product...
pete4
Guest
Stevo - agree with the first part as Garcia is a good acquisition. But not sure we'll end up extending from the current 27 rounds + finals format anytime soon because once the rugby codes begin pitches degenerate pretty quickly
cliffclavin
Guest
Garcia is a very good signing for the candymen. He is versatile and pretty mobile and should suit their system. Agree with stevo about injury concerns, but a long off-season should help him here. Much under-rated. Bring on the season. Re the extension of season - we just need to be patient and build properly.
Stevo
Roar Rookie
Good. At 30 with a wealth of experience in England he'll provide additional stability and nous for the team. Age and some questions concerning injuries makes a one year deal OK with room to extend if things work out really well. Bring on the season please. Gallop, your job is to extend the HAL season and reduce the 'down time.' Thankyou.