Adelaide United have pulled off a recruiting coup, luring fringe Socceroo Dario Vidosic back from Germany.
Adelaide United have pulled off a recruiting coup, luring fringe Socceroo Dario Vidosic back from Germany.
Vidosic, a member of the Socceroos squad at last year’s World Cup, has decided to sign with the Reds, returning to the Hyundai A-League after four seasons in Germany.
The attacking midfielder was signed to Nurnberg after impressing in his performances for then Queensland Roar but his German adventure hasn’t worked out as planned.
Injury and form saw him play just 29 matches for Nurnberg, and spent considerable time out on loan at both MSV Duisberg and more recently Arminia Bielefeld in Bundesliga 2.
His international career during that time has been somewhat more successful, representing Australia 14 times, most recently against New Zealand in Adelaide.
He will slot into a new look midfield which has lost Travis Dodd, Lucas Pantelis and Marcos Flores in the off-season.
The Reds have already signed striker Bruce Djite as well as midfielders Zenon Caravella, Andwele Slory and Spase Dilevski.
“We are thrilled to have Dario at the club. Significantly he is an Australian player who has played at a very high level for a strong club in one of the best leagues in Europe,” Adelaide United coach Rini Coolen said.
“Dario is a player who can play on the left and the right, and also behind the striker which makes him extremely versatile.”
“Add his speed and his ability to score goals, and there is no doubt that he will be a fantastic addition to our squad.”
Resisting offers from Europe and Asia to join the Reds, Vidosic believes United’s intended play style is the perfect fit as he looks to rediscover his enjoyment in the game, something he admits had started to wane during his time in Germany.
“In the end I wanted to go to a club that is playing my style of football…I like to attack, I like the ball at my feet and I like to express myself, and I felt I didn’t have the chance to do that (in Germany), so I just want to come back and enjoy my football and hopefully do well for Adelaide and for the fans,” Vidosic said.
“I’m just really looking forward to being in Australia under a good coach with a good club. We want to set some high ambitions and there are also some personal goals that I want to achieve, and at the end of the day it just comes down to enjoyment and wanting to have fun – that’s why you play.”
Despite the expectations that may come with the status, Vidosic is just focused on helping Adelaide succeed.
“Really I just want to help out the team in any way I can. If in the end that’s scoring goals or having assists, I just want to be a contributing factor and put that pressure on myself to maintain being a Socceroo, and I think that playing here can only benefit me in getting confidence and enjoying it in front of good crowds and good stadiums,” Vidosic said.
“Hopefully I can continue on with the Socceroos and help Adelaide in their push for the finals and qualification for the Asian Champions League again.”
