Kewell has Heart for battle on return to Melbourne

Kewell, who left city rivals Melbourne Victory just under a year ago, is due back in his homeland on July 1 to begin work with his new club.

The 34-year-old has been in the United Kingdom since ending a brief stint with UAE Pro League club Al Gharafa, where he played just three games – the only football he has played since leaving Victory.

Melbourne Heart have been in talks with Kewell for several weeks in the hope of bringing him back.

“He sees that he’s got some unfinished business [in the A-League] and, while he probably says he finished the [2012-13 season] reasonably well, he certainly thinks he can start the year on a high here,” Heart chief executive Scott Munn said.

“Round 1 against Melbourne Victory is going to be something really special.”

Kewell said he had been keen to link up with former Australia team-mate John Aloisi, now installed as Heart coach.

“It’s always been my intention to come back and play in the A-League,” Kewell said.

“John Aloisi and I have known each other a long time and we have played together, so I’m thrilled to be part of Melbourne Heart at an exciting time.”

Roberto Martinez pledged to bring Champions League football to Goodison Park after he was unveiled as the new Everton boss yesterday.

Martinez, who led Wigan to the FA Cup last season, has signed a four-year contract to replace Manchester United-bound David Moyes.

Moyes led the Toffees to the Champions League just once during a much-lauded 11-year reign, but an ambitious Martinez is ready to plot the club’s return to Europe’s elite after impressing Toffees owner Bill Kenwright.

Martinez denied that represented any immediate pressure on his shoulders, clarifying that any lofty ambitions would take time to realise.

“The chairman hasn’t put any pressure on me,” he said.

“We have a very strong team and over the next few months we need to get together and make sure we are a winning side.

“Finishing in the top six was magnificent for Everton but we need to achieve more.”

Arsenal have confirmed Andrey Arshavin, Denilson and Sebastien Squillaci will leave the club on the expiry of their contracts at the end of this month.

Fulham have announced the signing of Holland goalkeeper Maarten Stekelenburg from Roma on a four-year deal.

West Ham have signed goalkeeper Adrian, 26, on a free transfer from Real Betis.

Richard Dunne, Eric Lichaj, Andy Marshall, Jean Makoun and Simon Dawkins have been released by Aston Villa.