Dutch international midfielder Orlando Engelaar will play for Melbourne Heart in this season's Australian A-League, the club said on Friday.

Engelaar, 33, who has played 14 times for the Netherlands national team, represented the Dutch at the 2008 European Championship and comes to Australia after club spells with FC Twente, FC Schalke 04 and PSV Eindhoven.

"I am confident that Orlando will be one of the most accomplished midfielders that has come to play football in Australia," Heart coach John Aloisi said.

"The club has worked hard for a number of seasons to attract a player who can dominate and control matches from midfield and we believe that we have found that player."

Engelaar will join another new signing, Australian international Harry Kewell, at Heart in the new A-League season, kicking off in October.