Melbourne Victory have locked in Mark Milligan as the club's Australian marquee for the next three seasons.

In a confirmation of Australian football's worst kept secret, the 29-year-old Socceroo has signed on with Victory, knowing an A-League grand final appearance is the club's minimum objective.

Milligan, left at the World Cup, says he sees himself as a "Victory player for life". Credit:Getty

Since moving back to the A-League from Japanese side Jef United in 2002, Milligan has become a key cog in Victory's plans as a playmaking defensive midfielder.

Victory have held firm amid interest for Milligan from England and the Middle East over the past 18 months.