Former Canberra FC striker Thomas James signs with Perth Glory

The former Canberra Croatia striker was already excited by having a baby boy, so Perth's proposal was just the icing on the cake.

James, 27, has signed with the Glory for the remainder of the season, joining Canberra's Nikolai Topor-Stanley and Steven Lustica in the A-League.

Glory football director Jacob Burns says they've signed James on a short-term deal with a view to extend it, should he impress when the competition resumes this week.

Perth has six matches remaining in the coronavirus-interrupted season, with James joining his Glory teammates just two days before their return against the Central Coast Mariners.

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"I'm just going to go there, enjoy every single moment of it and have no regrets," James said.

"Whatever comes at the end of it, comes. Nothing is handed out these days, so I'm going to carry on with what I do and work hard.

"I'm excited but a bit nervous, I don't know anyone there. They're from the other side of the country.

"I'm looking forward to that professional, full-time environment where I eat, sleep and play football. Getting to play with better players as well, that's essentially what's going to make my game better."

His call-up comes after a stunning debut season with the Wollongong Wolves, where the striker scored 24 goals en route to claiming the NSW NPL competition's golden boot and player of the year award.

But his journey to the A-League started when the Englishman moved from Lincolnshire to the ACT, where he scored 80 goals in 83 games for Canberra FC.

"I've got a lot of good memories from Canberra, I've got family there now and a lot of my friends are still there," James said.

"We won a few trophies in Canberra but while I was there my main focus was studying.

"I didn't have plans to play in the A-League [when I moved to Australia], I just wanted to finish my studies. I had a tremendous season with the Wolves, it was one of the most successful seasons they've ever had as a club.

"My coach Luke [Wilkshire] played professionally his whole life, so when you come to training you want to impress him at every opportunity. It's definitely set me in good stead to play at the next level."

James attracted interest from multiple A-League clubs prior to the start of the 2019-20 season, including the Mariners and Western United.

He knocked back offers to trial and waited for a promising opportunity, which came via the defending premiers.

"With Tony Popovic at the helm, who is arguably one of the best coaches in Australia, I couldn't say no to that," James said.

"He's won everything in Australia and the team around him, I'm under the impression are great as well."