Dario Vidosic will return to the A-League for Adelaide United, with the club to announce the Socceroo on a multi-year signing today. Vidosic played for the Brisbane Roar in the 2007-08 A-League season, before moving to German Bundesliga team FC Nuremberg.
Vidosic was more recently loaned out to Bundesliga 2 clubs MSV Duisburg and Arminia Bielefeld after struggling with injuries and for regular game time.
The 24-year-old recently played for the Socceroos in their win over New Zealand, coming on as a substitute in the second-half.
Vidosic will be looked at to replace former Adelaide United captain Travis Dodd, who has moved to Perth Glory. Coach Rini Coolen may also use Vidosic to replace Marcos Flores, although Flores was more of an outright playmaker.
The signing will be announced at a press conference this afternoon.
“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 Head 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.”
Coolen added, “Holger [Osieck] has shown that if players play well in the Hyundai A-League, they can still be selected in the national team, and coming to Adelaide gives Dario a chance to play more often and try to perform at a really high level for us in order to keep under the radar of the Socceroos.”
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.”
Vidosic’s signing as the Reds’ Australian designated player is the first time Adelaide United has attracted someone from a current Qantas Socceroos squad, but despite the expectations that may come with the status, he 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.”
gawa
Guest
Fantastic to see another quality skillful player join the A League, also it is apparent that Coolen is signing players that can play football and not just athletes. The upward trend of the quality of football played domestically will continue to rise this season.
Davo
Guest
Makes me feel jealous. Our best striker is Marko Jessic!
Kasey
Guest
a 24year old (fringe) Socceroo would be why United signed him to a 3yr contract, signs our off-field 'suits' are learning to play the football industry a bit better? As a Reds fan I'm excited by this. He's a goal scoring midfielder(proven in this league too), who can create as well. I'm just glad that verbeek is no longer the Socceroos coach. Herr Osieck's devotion to picking the best players regardless of the league they are playing in(step forward McKay,M ) is definitely a big reason that this happenned as stated in the OP:) a little bit of the post-Flores gloom has lifted today in rAdelaide, good luck to him... I'm now thinking of a front 3 containing Djite, Vidosic and vanDijk....with Casio as an overlapping Left back and Caravella anchoring thhe middle, I thinkwe're just a decent centre back away from a squad that can push for the title with some luck regarding injuries of course:)
The Bear
Guest
Good signing. Very good signing.
whiskeymac
Guest
vidosic, djite, caravella... some good signings. not sure they (AU) will miss dodd reid and flores?
Xavier Player
Roar Pro
Fantastic signing for the Reds and the league, but for Dario himself, i'm not so sure. He is certainly talented enough to still be in Euorpe, I would have liked to have seen him try his luck in Holland or somewhere similar, but it's great that we can see him play live again
AGO74
Guest
He's only 24 mate. Plenty of time left for Europe if he is succesful with Adelaide.
TomC
Roar Guru
Good signing, and I'm looking forward to seeing more of him next season. But its a real shame he couldn't make a career in Europe.
Realfootball
Guest
This is a big thumbs up for the dual marquee concept. The signing is confirmed. What a season this is shaping up to be. The Kewell soap opera is already fading.
Midfielder
Guest
Brillant ansd well done Tristan
Tristan Rayner
Editor
With thanks to some friendly Tweeps - including Davidde, Fuss.
Futbanous
Guest
Funny the other day we were talking about players returning whereas the KJC leagues were worried about their exodus just starting. We are ahead of them in this respect even though perhaps not quite on the park. Could never have happened in the past.
Ben of Phnom Penh
Guest
wow, great signing if it eventuates
Fussball ist unser leben
Roar Guru
Nice work Tristan ... you've certainly got the scoop on this - other football sites have not yet reported. It's fantastic news for AUFC and the HAL. Another quality player that we get to watch every week in the HAL. Bring on Season 7.