Osama Malik has hailed Tony Popovic as the best manager in the country after penning a three-year deal with Perth Glory on Tuesday.
The 28-year-old - who won the FFA Cup in 2014 and 2016 with Adelaide United and Melbourne City respectively - played for Saudi Arabian club Al-Batin earlier this year.
INS AND OUTS: Perth Glory
But the opportunity to return to Australia and play under Perth boss Popovic was one too good to refuse for the former Croydon Kings junior.
"For me, Tony Popovic is the best manager in the country and someone that I’ve wanted to work under for a while," he told the club website.
"So I’m very happy to be here and can’t wait to get started.
"Perth Glory were the benchmark of the competition last year and there is a very talented squad here."
A host of Australian and overseas clubs were on the prowl for Malik's signature, according to Perth Football Director Jacob Burns.
"Osama is a player that we have admired and tracked for some time and we are thrilled to now have him on board," he said.
"He’s a ball-playing defender who can operate anywhere across the backline or in a defensive midfield role and he also brings plenty of experience.
"As well as being a proven performer in the A-League, he also has experience of the Asian Champions League which will prove invaluable when we make our bow in that competition next year."
