Melbourne Heart have signed former Melbourne Victory Grand Final hero Fred.

The 32-year-old, who has spent the past four seasons in MLS in the United States with DC United and the Philadelphia Union, has been lured back to the A-League by the Heart.

"I'm excited to play for Melbourne Heart now," Fred told Fox Sports News live from Washington. "I look forward to building very good things with my team-mates over there."

Fred received great praise for his performances in his one season for the Victory in 2006-07, where he played a major role in the famous 6-0 demolition of Adelaide United in the Grand Final of that year.

He left Victory in controversial circumstances, taking up a big-money move to DC United. He scored 11 goals in his first spell with the club, before returning for a guest stint with Wellington Phoenix in 2008. He then scored four goals in 25 games when out on loan with Philadelphia before returning to Washington for the end of the current season.

It is hoped Fred can feature in the playmaker role for the Heart, and help the development of fellow Brazilian Alex Terra after the departure of Josip Skoko, John Aloisi and Gerald Sibon after the club's inaugural campaign.