Adelaide United FC has pulled off a major recruiting coup ahead of next season after securing Qantas Socceroos midfielder Dario Vidošic.
Less than a week after losing Argentinean playmaker Marcos Flores to Chinese Super League club Henan Jianye, the Reds have acquired Vidosic-s services for the next three years.
The 24 year old arrives in Adelaide following four seasons in Germany, where he made 29 appearances and scored three goals for Bundesliga club FC Nuremburg.
A current member of the Qantas Socceroos- squad who played in both of the Socceroos- recent friendlies against New Zealand and Serbia, and was also part of Australia-s FIFA 2010 World Cup squad in South Africa, Vidosic brings a wealth of talent and experience to the Reds- push towards a first Hyundai A-League championship.
“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.”
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.”
Previous perceptions in regards to senior national team duty have been that players must ply their trade in other leagues around the world to be considered. However, since Holger Osieck-s appointment as Qantas Socceroos Head Coach, this is no longer the case, and Coolen believes Osieck-s willingness to select players competing in the Hyundai A-League is allowing players of Vidosic-s calibre to return to Australia while in their prime, a benefit for not only Adelaide United, but football in Australia.
“Holger 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,” Coolen said.
Born in SFR Yugoslavia, Vidosic relocated from Croatia to Brisbane with his parents at age one when his father accepted an offer to play for the Queensland Lions. Football talent ran in the family as Vidosic received a scholarship at the Australian Institute of Sport (AIS) and then in 2006 he scored a two year deal with Queensland (now Brisbane) Roar.
It was during his time with the Roar and whilst representing Australia at U-20 and U-23 level that Vidosic took the interest of FC Nuremburg, as he joined the German heavyweights on a three year deal in 2007.
Selection for the Qantas Socceroos followed in 2009 as he became one of Australia-s attacking midfield options. Vidosic will begin training with the squad on Monday.
Dario Vidosic
DOB 8 April 1987 (Osijek, SFR Yugoslavia)
Age 24
Position Attacking midfielder
Height 185cm
Club History
2011 Arminia Bielefeld (Germany – on loan) 14 apps, 1 goal
2010 MSV Duisburg (Germany – on loan) 12 apps, 1 goal
2007-2011 FC Nuremberg (Germany) 29 apps, 3 goals
2006/07 Brisbane Roar (Australia) 17 apps, 5 goals
Representative Honours
Qantas Socceroos – 14 appearances (1 goal)
Qantas U-23s – 14 appearances (2 goals)
Qantas Young Socceroos – 8 appearances (2 goals)
Additional Information
Made his debut appearance for the Qantas Socceroos in Australia-s final World Cup qualifier against Japan on June 17, 2009
