After leaving Australia for an opportunity to play overseas almost 20 years ago, Wilkshire is finally back after signing a deal with Sydney FC.

The 35-year-old joins the reigning A-League champions as a direct replacement for the injured Rhyan Grant. 

Wilkshire - an 80-time Australian international - has spent most the last decade playing in Russia. 

However, after two difficult seasons with Terek Grozny and Dynamo Moscow, Wilkshire decided it was time to come home. 

"I don't enjoy sitting on the bench or not playing. It's not my thing and it never has been, all my career," Wilkshire said on Monday.

"After speaking to [Sydney FC coach Graham Arnold] Arnie, the opportunity woke something up inside me, in a sense.

"I had a few other opportunities in Russia in the second division.

"Financially it was more rewarding, but motivation-wise, for myself and my family, it wasn't so appealing."

Wilkshire played for Australia at both the 2006 and 2010 FIFA World Cup, but wasn't selected by Socceroos coach Ange Postecoglou for the 2014 edition.

"People thought I'd died in 2014 after the World Cup omission, but I certainly didn't," he said. 

"I've still been plying my trade in Europe, in the top leagues. Whether people have noticed or seen or not, that's not a thing for me to dwell on.

"I'm still enjoying my football, which is why I'm still playing at the age that I am. I feel good, physically and mentally.

"Mentally is the most challenging thing at my age. If you still have that drive and hunger to play and to win. I have that, which is the reason I'm here."