Gold Coast United goalkeeper Jess Vanstrattan is confident past experiences will help him succeed in the A-League. The 27-year old will make his A-League debut next weekend when the new franchise takes on Brisbane Roar and believes his nine or so years in Italy (with Hellas Verona, Carrarese, Ancona and Juventus) will hold him in good stead.

"Juventus are one of the greatest clubs in the world that leave no stone unturned to be successful and I was working day in day out with top professional players who had won World Cups and Golden Ball awards," he said.

"But when Gigi (Italy keeper Gianluigi Buffon) came up to me one day to tell he had signed another deal with Juve because he desperately wants to win the Champions League before he quits, I knew that there was no point in me hanging around.

"Watching him train made me understand why he's the best. The goalkeeper coach at times pulled me aside to tell me that some things I did technically better than Buffon but if you watch him you realise that his reading of the game and his anticipation are top shelf."

Vanstrattan also said that Gold Coast came across as the right club because of plans they had put in place to succeed.

"I talked to some other clubs but Gold Coast struck me as an exciting club with the right ambition," he added.

"As a player that's what you want to be part of, a club that aims to win trophies. And I certainly believe we are good enough to win the title first-up."