Attacking midfielder McGlinchey is currently in Scotland but is expected to be part of the Bears line-up by the start of April.

The Bears start their 2022 campaign on Saturday night when they travel to take on Newcastle Olympic at Darling Street Oval.

A veteran of 54 games for New Zealand, the 35-year-old McGlinchey played 148 games with the Mariners and 85 with the Wellington Phoenix in the A-League as well as stints with a number of Scottish clubs including most recently Clyde in Scottish League One.

He will join Weston's other star signing, Dutch striker Moustafa Mohammad, in a Bears line-up planning on making semi-finals in 2022 after being on the cusp of the top five before the 2021 season was cut short.

Bears assistant coach Anthony Richards said McGlinchey was an exciting addition to the club and be great for the competition.

"He is an attacking midfielder and will strengthen our go forward," Richards said of McGlinchey. "He brings in a wealth of experience, he has played for New Zealand and someone players can look up to.

"Players like him are invaluable, he is like a coach on field. Players like him are fantastic to have in your team."

Richards said Mohammad, a 24-year-old attacking left wing, has already become a favourite among teammates and will excite Bears fans with his attacking flair and goal scoring instincts.

"He is fit, he is certainly hungry and he has fitted in really well," he said.

"He is a bit of a character, he is getting on well with the boys and really enjoying himself."

The opening round clash against Olympic will give the Bears a good reference in how they have developed since 2021.

"Olympic are one of the sides who will be very competitive in the competition," Richards said.

"They are around our level but we think we've got the side this season to beat them."

"The goal is certainly to make semi-finals and see what happens after that. We've got high expectations.

"There is a real buzz about the place."