Danny Vukovic admits he will use his five-month loan spell with J.League club Vegalta Sendai as a potential stepping stone into Australia's World Cup squad.
The 28-year old Perth Glory goalkeeper will spend the next while with his former Central Coast Mariners boss Graham Arnold in north eastern Japan and is hoping to gain regular first team action in order to turn the head of Socceroos manager Ange Postecoglou in the lead-up to Brazil 2014.
Vukovic was grateful to Glory owner Tony Sage, CEO Jason Brewer and the rest of the West Australian club for allowing him the opportunity to join Vegalta who kicked off their 2014 J.League season with a 2-1 loss to Albirex Niigata on the weekend.
"I would like to thank Tony, Jason and everyone at Perth Glory for allowing me to take up this offer in Japan," said Vukovic.
"It allows me to continue playing at a high level over the coming months and leading up to the World Cup Finals in Brazil. Hopefully this will enhance my chances of selection in Ange Postecoglou's final squad of 23 for the June tournament.
"I would have loved to have finished the season with Glory but due to the transfer window closing in Japan, this isn't possible. I hope our fans understand why I have made the decision to accept this offer and I want them to know I'm sincerely sorry that I won't be here to see the season out."
Vukovic will compete with current number one Kentaro Seki, Japanese veteran Shigeru Sakurai and American Daniel Schmidt for the gloves at Yurtec Stadium Sendai. He joins former teammate, New Zealand midfielder Michael McGlinchey, who is on loan from the Mariners.
From a national tea perspective, Vukovic is up against Club Brugge's Mat Ryan, Borussia Dortmund's Mitch Langerak, Liverpool's Brad Jones and Adelaide United's Eugene Galekovic for one of three goalkeeping spots for the Brazil 2014 roster.
