Paine, who received the inaugural Illawarra Mercury Best and Fairest award at the IPL presentation last month, yesterday confirmed he had agreed to terms with the rejuvenated state league club.

The 27-year-old Fernhill maestro shared the golden boot with Port Kembla's Mark Piccolini - another set to switch to WCFC - and declared it was time to test himself in the NSW Premier League.

"I'm going to play there next year," Paine said. "I don't have too many years left to try it, I want to see how good it is and have a go at it."

Paine impressed WCFC coach Trevor Morgan during trials over the past fortnight.

"I had been chatting with some clubs but I went to Wollongong's trials - Trevor had never seen me play before," Paine said.

The midfielder-winger shot down suggestions it was a brave move from the comfort of Fernhill to a squad rebuilding after a miserable campaign.

"All we can do is take it on a year-by-year basis," Paine said. "There's a new coach, a new stadium, a new set-up - I'm impressed by the way it has been going.

"Hopefully last season was just a blip on the radar and we'll have a strong Illawarra side to represent the area."

Preseason training starts next week and Paine is aware of the job ahead after switching from the Foxes.

"My fitness and movement off the ball is going to have to improve," he said.

"I get on well with the people at Fernhill - I'd never play for another Illawarra club - and Wollongong is the local state league club."

Paine and Piccolini join ex-Blacktown goalkeeper Brody Crane, Penrith midfielder Tayfun Buyukkopru and apprentice Alex Mansueto as Morgan's first signings.

Morgan is also wooing a midfielder from premiers Sydney United and an ex-Penrith defender.

He will invite four of the players who attended the recent trials to preseason training and hopes to have signed up to 12 first team players by Christmas.

WCFC will hold under 20s trials at Elizabeth Park from 6pm tomorrow.