Adelaide has already turned its attention to next season, making two signings just days after its disappointing Hyundai A-league Grand Final loss to Melbourne.
The Reds have signed Irish-based Australian midfielder Adam Hughes to a two-year deal and also drafted local defender Michael Marrone into the main squad after a great season in the National Youth League.
Hughes can’t wait to join up with his new team-mates and is happy to be a part of one of Australia’s most successful clubs.
“It will be a brilliant start to come back to what has been a successful club in such a short period of the A-League. To make the final in a couple of seasons and get to the Asian Champions League Final, you know you-re coming to a quality setup,” Hughes said.
“Adelaide seems to be doing well consistently and you always want to go to a club that can make finals and be there towards the end of the season.”
Hughes’ path to the Hyundai A-League is very similar to fellow Reds signings Scott Jamieson and Paul Reid, who both also returned to Australia after stints in Europe.
Reid and Jamieson’s return has paid off as both recently made their Socceroos debuts and Hughes hopes to follow in their footsteps.
“It-s definitely one of my goals coming back to the country. I want to get the foot in the door with Adelaide and do well, and then hopefully I am there about and can get selected for the national team one day,” Hughes said.
Coach Aurelio Vidmar is excited by the prospect of Hughes returning to Australia and he has no doubts the 26-year-old will bring a lot of positive attributes to the club.
“He-s going to bring a lot of aggression and commitment and a good football brain to the team,” Vidmar said.
“He-ll certainly fit in on the competitive side and bring something extra to our midfield, which is an ability to score goals. He-s a great character and he-ll certainly be a crowd pleaser for the fans.”
Meanwhile, Marrone was a key member of the youth squad and was also included in the senior squad for the AFC Champions League knockout stage and the FIFA Club World Cup where he made his debut.
Vidmar said the 22-year-old had proven he was capable of playing at senior level, showing great composure in the games he was called in for.
“The times that he-s needed to step in, with limited preparation in terms of time spent with the senior team, he-s demonstrated that he-s able to compete at this level so we-re really pleased with that and to see another local lad get an opportunity,” Vidmar said.
“Having the Youth League has certainly helped the preparations and the future of the senior team, especially for Michael being one of the older boys.”