German midfielder Peter Perchtold admits he was delighted when Gold Coast United offered him a way out of his homeland.

The 26-year old says he was unhappy toward the end of his time with Bundesliga club FC Nuremberg and is thrilled that everything worked out with his move to Australia.

"I was in a bid situation in Germany. I felt really unhappy there. I needed a change," he told AFW.

The central midfielder has now made four appearances for his new club and acknowledges that it will take him some time to get used to the A-League, especially after being out of action with a knee injury for so long.

"I need some games to adjust to the physical level here," he added.

"I haven't played for a long time in Germany, and before that I was injured. I stopped training in mid-December, because in Germany we have the winter break for four weeks. It's hard to come in. I'm getting better every time."

And Perchtold said that Australian football certainly appeals to him as it gets him away from the robotic ways of the German leagues.

"It's more relaxed here, you can try things. In Germany you have to act like a machine, you can't make a mistake," he reflected.

"You can't compare it in Germany. Over there they're all a bit scared about you taking their place, they don't give you the ball in training.

"Here everybody helps you. It's really good."