South Melbourne FC has confirmed the first signing of the 2010 season, with Peter Zois joining the club from Richmond.

The signing is a huge coup for the club, and Zois will slot in in the number one keeping spot with relative ease.

The former South junior is regarded as one of the supreme goalkeepers of the competition, having previously represented Australia at all, youth levels, as well as having a wealth of international and European experience.

Since leaving Australia, Zois’ first taste of European football came when he joined Cardiff City in the 1997/98 season.

However, the custodian will be remembered most for his long career in the Netherlands, where he represented both NAC Breda and Willem II Tillburg over a 10-year period.

Since returning to Australia, he has spent time with Altona, Frankston and Richmond in the Victorian Premier League.

Zois was excited to be re-joining his old club and looked forward to the challenges ahead.

“South is a proud and historic club that I am proud to be a part of. After having played here as a junior, it is fantastic to be back home and at the place where my career basically started.

I look forward to getting stuck into pre-season training and meeting my new team-mates”.

South is rumoured to be swooping on several out-of-contract VPL stars, with James Stefanou and Marinos Gasparis having confirmed they will jump ship from Heidelberg to Hellas.