Brisbane Roar recruit Shane Stefanutto has endorsed his new home as the perfect club to chase silverware in both the Hyundai A-league and Asian Champions League.
Tempted by coach Ange Postecoglou to join the Roar from state rival North Queensland Fury, Stefanutto returns to a city he left six years ago for the adventure of European football.
And despite only beginning pre-season with his new team-mates, the marauding left-back is confident is he has found a strong squad worthy of success.
“I have come down here to be successful, I have come down here to win and play Asian Champions League … and I believe (the Roar) is a place I can do that,” the 30 year-old said.
“I think there is a lot of potential in the squad and I hope we put that out on the field and do well.”
Eager to return the Roar back to the top of the league, Stefanutto said the Roar squad was intent on reigniting the passion of the Brisbane community.
“You have to be successful team on the park and Brisbane people will come and support you,” he said.
“And it-s up to us footballers to do that.”
Stefanutto made the switch from Townsville to Queensland-s capital after his debut Hyundai A-league season was curtailed by a serious knee injury.
Stuck on the sidelines since Round 9 of last season, Stefanutto said his time away from the game had been a blessing in disguise.
“I think I have already had quite a long career so it-s been good to freshen up a little bit,” he said.
“Maybe (the injury) was a sign that I needed a little break and now coming back I feel really good, really fresh and ready to get going.”
However, Roar staff are refusing to take any chances with one of the club-s prized off-season signings, limiting Stefanutto-s work load to light sessions only.
But being withheld from the training paddock isn-t bothering the triple capped Socceroo too much – more than happy to be back in his boots with a ball at his feet.
“After being out for so long, just to touch that ball again is a great feeling,” he said.
“I-m doing three football sessions a week at the moment and I-m finding that-s more than enough after being out for a while.”
