Melbourne Victory have made their first significant signing with the addition of Matildas defender Laura Alleway.

Alleway arrives at Victory on a two year deal after two championship winning seasons with cross town rivals Melbourne City.

“She’s a really dominant central defender who wins the ball and uses it really well,” said head coach Jeff Hopkins.

“Once I knew she was maybe available, I jumped in as soon as I could to lock her down.”

Season 10 will be the 27 year old's second stint at the Victory having been a member of the first squad back in 2008.

https://twitter.com/LauraAlleway/status/902381455031939072

A World Cup and Olympics central defender, Alleway adds significant experience – including 94 W-League matches - to a Victory squad that last season lacked defensive experience.

“One of the things we recognised last year was we needed someone in that position to really be dominant and organise people around the place.”

“I know Laura’s qualities and she was out playing in Orlando. I’ve been watching a lot of the US games on a weekly basis and also the national teams with the Matildas."

Hopkins has also hinted at additional experience arriving to support the up and coming Victorian young players that have made up the core of the team in the past couple of seasons.

Season 10 of the W-League commences in late October 2017.