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Western United have snapped up former Western Sydney Wanderers skipper Brendan Hamill as they gear up for their debut season in the A-League.

If defence is the cornerstone to A-League success then Western United are going about it the right way.

They announced on Wednesday the signing of 26-year-old Brendan Hamill, in a move to shore up their defensive stocks before their inaugural campaign commences in October.

Former Western Sydney Wanderers captain Hamill has played more than 130 games in the A-League - after he made his debut for Melbourne Heart in 2010 - and spent two years in South Korea.

WUFC assistant coach John Anastasiadis said Hamill's experience is a great asset to the Melbourne club.

"Securing Brendan now enables us to have a really good mix of experienced and younger central defenders to form the foundation of our backline," Anastasiadis said.

"Brendan along with Josh Risdon, Aaron Calver, Jonathan Aspropotamitis and Ersan Gulum is a fantastic group of defenders for our new club."

Hamill said the club's vision and goals were one of the main reasons he decided to take the opportunity to return to the Victorian capital.

"After speaking to the coaches and staff at Western United, I was really impressed on how they are planning to make a huge impact in their first season of the A-League starting in October," he said.

"Having played in Melbourne a few years ago, my wife and I cannot wait to get back to start pre-season.

"I was a young teenager when I first arrived in Melbourne. I've matured a lot having played in South Korea for a number of seasons and then taking up a leadership role at the Wanderers.

"I'm also really excited to play alongside Ersan Gulum."

Western United have 16 contracted players including Greek marquee Panagiotis Kone, ex-Socceroos striker Scott McDonald and A-League goalkeeper of the year Filip Kurto.