UPDATE: THE embattled Brisbane Roar have received a much-needed boost by winning the battle to sign former Perth Glory striker Jamie Maclaren.

Granted a release from his Glory contract last week, the Australian under-23 representative has inked a two-year deal with the Roar.

“Several clubs wanted Jamie and we’re delighted he’s picked us,” Roar football operations manager Craig Moore said.

The Roar last week lost their major sponsor The Coffee Club, while their owners The Bakrie Group are in debt and searching for new investors.

But despite the problems and the fact players received their most recent monthly wages late, Maclaren chose the Roar to further his career ahead of other A-League clubs.

“It’s great that he wants to come to us despite everything that has happened. It shows we’re changing in the right direction,” Moore said.

Maclaren, who spent four years during his teens with English club Blackburn Rovers, scored nine A-League goals for the Glory last season despite having to play second fiddle to Irish international Andy Keogh.

“He’s at the stage where he needs to be playing regular first-team football and he’ll have the chance to do that here,” Moore said.

Maclaren is the latest forward to have the task of filling the boots of ace former Roar marksman Besart Berisha.

The Albanian international was sorely missed in Brisbane last season following his move to Melbourne Victory, with neither Mensur Kurtishi nor Andrija Kaluderovic having done enough during their short stints with the Roar.

“Jamie’s a very talented Australian striker and we’re confident he’s got a lot of goals in him,” Moore said.

There’s little doubt the presence of Socceroos stalwarts Moore and John Aloisi, the recently appointed Roar coach, in Brisbane helped convince Maclaren to choose the Queensland club.

Aloisi said Maclaren was an “ideal fit” for the Roar.

“He is a genuine goalscorer ... and I can’t wait to see him on the field in our orange,” Aloisi said.

Maclaren said: “It feels great to be part of Brisbane Roar.

“The Roar have been a strong side for many years now and very successful.

“For me to join a club with such a great history and a terrific bunch of players, I just can’t wait to get started.”

Maclaren, who turns 22 this month, will start training with the Roar this week ahead of Brisbane’s clash against English Premier League club Liverpool at Suncorp Stadium on Friday week.