Melbourne City have confirmed the signing of Tim Cahill from Hangzhou Greentown.
The Socceroos' all-time leading scorer has signed a two-year deal that also includes a third year where he will join City's coaching staff.
Cahill, 36, had long been linked to a move to Manchester City-owned club after the introduction of the A-League full season guest player rule for 2016-17, which allows star names to be paid above the salary cap, in addition to the club's marquee signings.
"I am incredibly excited to have signed ... there is real ambition and purpose here, qualities that are immensely important to me," Cahill said in a statement. "I am here to contribute as much as I can to both the club and, where possible, to the further development of football here in Australia."
FFA chief executive David Gallop said the signing was a "huge addition" for the club and league.
"A player with his passion for the game, and the records that he holds for the Socceroos, is going to be a tremendous asset," Gallop said.
One of Australia's most recognisable sports stars, the Socceroos veteran has never appeared in the A-League, but played in the National Soccer League sides Sydney Olympic and Sydney United as a teenager.
He then moved to Millwall before joining David Moyes' Everton in 2004. It was at Goodison Park where Cahill became a Premier League star, making 226 appearances for the Toffees, scoring 56 goals, over an eight year period.
Stints in the United States, with the New York Red Bulls, and in the Chinese Super League, with Shanghai Shenhua and Hangzhou, followed, but a return to Australia had always been mooted.
Melbourne City begin their A-League campaign against the Wellington Phoenix on Oct. 8 before a Melbourne derby against Melbourne Victory on Oct. 15.