I knew it had to happen eventually. It was just too perfect a fit to not happen. Today, it is finally official.

Joe Hachem, the 2005 World Series of Poker champion, today signed an agreement with PokerStars.com, the world's largest tournament poker site. Hachem, who won the record $7.5 million top prize at the World Series of Poker (WSOP) in Las Vegas in July, will represent PokerStars.com as a sponsored player and ambassador.

The signing of Hachem gives PokerStars.com a public relations triple crown. Currently, 2003 WSOP champion Chris Moneymaker and 2004 WSOP champion Greg Raymer both serve exclusively as PokerStars.com representatives. The addition of Hachem means that PokerStars.com has locked up the last three world poker champions. In addition, Tom McEvoy, 1983 WSOP Champion and renowned poker author, is also a part of Team PokerStars.

Joseph Hachem, age 39, was born in Lebanon. He emigrated to Australia as a child, and now lives in Melbourne with his wife and four children. Hachem worked as a mortgage broker and chiropractor before taking poker seriously, first as a hobby and then as a semi-professional. He has played actively at PokerStars.com since 2001.

While former champions Moneymaker and Raymer won their way into the WSOP directly through PokerStars.com, Hachem's road to fame and fortune was paved by a close friend. Hachem decided to attend the 2005 WSOP when a fellow Australian won his seat at PokerStars.com. Hachem's wife encouraged him to enter the world’s most prestigious poker tournament, and he entered and won his seat in a satellite tournament at the Rio Hotel and Casino. Hachem blitzed through an all-time record field of 5,618 players and won the largest prize in poker history. It was the biggest, richest, and longest poker tournament ever.

"Joining Team PokerStars is a natural decision for me," said Hachem "PokerStars.com is the site where I really picked up on the intricacies of tournament poker. The wide selection of tournaments and games is so great that I become a skilled player within a relatively short time-frame. The truth is -- I never would have even have come to the World Series of Poker if my Aussie friend not qualified online at the site. PokerStars.com is the gateway to making poker dreams come true and becoming a world champion."

Since Hachem's victory, he has become an international celebrity. Hachem appeared as a guest on the Tonight Show with Jay Leno and has been featured in hundreds of media outlets throughout the world. During his year-long reign as the champion, Hachem plans to continue playing in major poker tournaments, making public appearances, and sharing his unique personal story with journalists. But at least one thing will not change for Hachem. He says he will continue playing and developing his skills as PokerStars.com.

"This entire experience has been a dream come true for me," said Hachem. "To join Chris Moneymaker and Greg Raymer is a real honor. I hope that my association with PokerStars.com will encourage others out there to pursue their goals in life, whatever they might be. It sure worked out for me."