Friday, 10 August 2012:

Sydney FC have signed experienced Australian defender Trent McClenahan to a one-year contract.

The former Young Socceroos captain returned from a nine-year stint in the English and Scottish leagues last year to join the Perth Glory squad that went on to reach the A-League grand final.

He then moved to the Central Coast Mariners as part of their Asian Champions League campaign.

Capped 18 times by the Young Socceroos, McClenahan joins Sydney FC with a good pedigree having spent five years at West Ham United alongside England internationals Michael Carrick, Jermaine Defoe, Glenn Johnson, Teddy Sheringham and Joe Cole.

"I'm really happy to get the deal over the line and I'm looking forward to getting into it," McClenahan said.

"Sydney is one of the biggest clubs in the league and hopefully I can get settled now and put in some good performances."

Sydney FC coach Ian Crook was delighted to win the 27-year-old's signature after interest from other A-League clubs and from England.

"For me he is a winner and has a winning mentality. He wants to succeed and is a really good age for us, having had some good experience overseas and in captaining the Australian under 20s.

"He fits into a couple of areas for us either at full back or a central defender which is really good as well."

AAP