Israeli striker Tomer Hemed will join Wellington Phoenix as a marquee player for the 2020/21 A-League season.
Hemed, 33, played last season for Charlton Athletic in the English Championship (EFL), and has scored 110 goals in 455 matches across a range of top-class competitions, including English Premier League and Spanish La Liga.
"Tomer is a highly skilled player with a pedigree as a goalscorer and creator," says Phoenix coach Ufuk Talay.
"It's no secret the club was looking to improve its frontline with an experienced visa player and Tomer provides what we - and no doubt the fans - think we need to improve on last season, someone who can convert our chances on goal and distribute to others.
"Once he settles into life in Australia, the A-League and the club's style of play, the sky's the limit for Tomer and I believe he's going to turn a lot of heads this season."
Hemed began his career as a teenager with Israeli club Maccabi Haifa, scoring 18 goals in their 2010/11 national title campaign. He spent time at RCD Mallorca and UD Almeria in the Spanish top flight, and helped Brighton & Hove Albion gain EPL promotion in 2017.
In 37 appearances for his national side since 2011, Hemed has scored 17 goals and will become the first Israeli player in the Australian competition.
"I always give everything I have to help the team win the game," he says. "I know my job is to score goals and to score as many as I can, but I also focus on making the key pass and making big tackles - whatever they need me to do to win.
"I've used my physicality playing in England and it was a very tough competition to play in, but I've done it well, so I have confidence in any other league in the world. I want the team to have confidence in me that I'm there to score the goals."
Tomer and his family - wife Shunit and three children - are currently quarantining in Australia.
The Phoenix open their season against Brisbane Roar at Redcliffe on December 29.
