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After years of rumoured returns, Scott McDonald will be playing in the A-League next season for Western United.

Western United have signed former Socceroos striker Scott McDonald, who will return from Europe to play in the A-League for the first time in his career at age 36.

McDonald, who played 26 times for Australia, enjoyed prolific stints for Celtic and Motherwell in Scotland, and Middlesbrough in the English second tier.

Most recently, he turned his back on retirement to join Partick Thistle in Scotland's second division, scoring seven times in 13 games as the club avoided relegation.

The Melburnian's return home comes 20 years after he burst onto the scene with National Soccer League (NSL) club Gippsland Falcons.

"In the last few years my mind has always been about returning home. I flirted with a few offers ... but the circumstances were not right," McDonald said.

"The opportunity to come home to Melbourne and be part of a new club was just the right thing to do."

When McDonald debuts, he will set a record for the longest time between appearances in the Australian top flight, held by Mark Bosnich.

Bosnich played for Sydney United in the NSL in 1991 before returning for Central Coast Mariners briefly in 2008.

McDonald, who last played in Australia in 1999, will be one of the oldest players in the competition.

Of current A-League players with a deal for next season, only Perth Glory pair Liam Reddy and Diego Castro will be older when the league resumes in October.

"I know I'm in the twilight of my career ... I will be 36 by the time the new season kicks off, but I am strong and determined to give back to the fans. I want to score goals and I know I will," he said.

McDonald was a title-winner with Celtic in 2007/08 and scored against Manchester United and AC Milan in the European Champions League.

Assistant coach John Anastasiadis said McDonald's history in the game would be vital to a club in its first season.

"Scott's experience in the dressing room will be priceless and the young boys we have should be absorbing as much as they can," he said.

"We now have a good blend of experience with Scott as well as raw talent in the likes of Apostolos Stamatelopoulous."

McDonald is the 13th player signed by Western United, who are expected to announce Mark Rudan as coach within days.