The new A-League side last week announced it had signed defender Simon Colosimo to a three-year deal.

The announcement follows hot on the heels of the news that John Aloisi had put pen to paper to extend his playing career for another season.

Colosimo and Aloisi will join Sydney FC teammate Clint Bolton in Melbourne after the goalkeeper made public his switch to the Heart during the recently completed A-League finals series.

Heart fans shouldn't expect Aloisi to play a major on-field role for their team with club officials already making it clear the 34-year-old is likely to be used as an impact player off the bench.

Colosimo is likely to be a more central figure in the team after a stellar season for Sydney FC.

That won't be before he returns from a stint in Holland and hopefully the World Cup in South Africa.

After his proposed move to Korea was thwarted by red tape, Colosimo has begun five weeks of training with AZ Alkmaar in a bid to stay fit enough to remain in World Cup contention for Australia.

Colosimo's time at Alkmaar was made possible by the fact Heart chief executive John Didulica's brother, Joey, is the AZ goalkeeper, plus the support of the club's Australian forward Brett Holman.

Jason Culina has taken a similar approach by flying to Holland to train with PSV Eindhoven and stay in shape for the World Cup.

Melbourne Heart's playing roster is now beginning to take shape with former Newcastle Jets midfielder Matt Thompson, Central Coast defender Dean Heffernan and Dutchman Rutger Worm also on the books.

The club announced this week its training and administrative base would be at La Trobe University, Bundoora.

What do you think of Melbourne Heart's signings so far?