Adelaide United over the moon with van Dijk signing

The signing of former Brisbane Roar striker has Adelaide United extremely excited.

Reds coach Aurelio Vidmar was delighted to welcome the Dutchman to the club permanently after he put pen t a three-year deal following his original six-month contract he signed in February.

“We’re really wrapt that Sergio has decided to stay with Adelaide United,” Vidmar said.

“We believe he is a fantastic footballer first and foremost, and also a fantastic personality, so we’re really wrapt to have him sign.

“It was pretty hard work, but Sergio kept all his dealings with the clubs he was negotiating with in a really professional manner…so we had to do a little bit of digging but I think we dug deep enough, and at the end we got the person we wanted,” Vidmar added.

“He’s had a fantastic two years in Brisbane…you know if you’re going to get a proven goal scorer like that, you’re always going to have to dig a little bit deep in your pockets but that’s the same everywhere in the world.

“We knew exactly what we were getting with Sergio, we’ve seen him here over the last couple of years, and we had the opportunity to take him through the AFC Champions League and the club has done a lot of hard work in trying to get him here for the next few years.”

van Dijk himself admitted he wasn’t sure if he would remain with Adelaide longer than his initial contract allowed but says he has been pleasantly surprised since joining the Reds.

“At first I didn’t think I would stay here for a longer term. The Asian Champions League was the main thing but since I came here I must say everything was getting better, Adelaide as a city, but also the squad and I’m very happy to stay here,” van Dijk said.

“What surprised me over here was that everything is so well organised. When I came here everything was arranged really well, it was really easy to settle in and that was important for me, as well as the results of the team.

“That’s why I’m staying here, and for a three year deal, that’s a long time for me to stay in Australia and that’s what I want.”