Melbourne Heart have announced that Michael Marrone has signed a new contract with the club.

The 25-year old right-back has signed a two-year contract extension which will see him remain with the Heart until at least the end of the 2013/14 A-League season.

Heart coach John van 't Schip felt it was a great move by the club to secure a player of Marrone's caliber with the former Adelaide United man being almost ever-present in the back four for the Melbourne outfit since the club started at the beginning of last season.

"Michael is obviously a player of the highest quality, and clearly one of our strongest performers," the Dutchman said.

"He received formal interest from three Hyundai A-League clubs, so the Club is delighted he has elected to extend his stay beyond this season.

"Given the Club's ambitions beyond this season, it is crucial Heart is able to retain the players it consider key cornerstones of future success, and Michael certainly fits that description.

"His strength, pace and technical ability have earmarked him as a competition leader in his position, placing him in contention for international recognition in the years to come."

 The game is about opinions. Make yours heard! Join the tribalfootball.com nation on Facebook today: Facebook.com/tribalfootball