Donachie signs with Melbourne Victory

Melbourne Victory have snapped up former Olyroos defender James Donachie on a one-season A-League deal.

The promising 23-year-old comes to Victory after making 62 appearances across five seasons with his hometown club Brisbane Roar.

"I feel like my best football is ahead of me and it's exciting to have an opportunity to play at a club like Victory," Donachie said.

A bungle by a previous Roar administration - by incorrectly dating part of a contract extension that was supposed to keep Donachie in Brisbane for another year - meant he was able to leave at the end of the season.

A member of two Brisbane premiership teams, Donachie is a key acquisition for Victory coach Kevin Muscat after the retirement of veteran stopper Matthieu Delpierre.

"James is one of the most exciting defenders in the competition and he will complement our group," Muscat said.