Ansell left Melbourne Victory to join C.D. Tondela in June. The centre spent seven years in the A-League club's system, making more than 70 first-team appearances since his debut in 2012.

Ansell made his debut for the Auriverdes in round three in August against Estoril.

The 23-year-old has played 10 times for the Dao-Lafoes-based club, with eight appearances in the Primeira Liga and two in cup competitions.

Ansell is enjoying his first taste of Europe.

"Tondela opened the doors for me and I'm happy with the team and with my performance," he told Portuguese newspaper O Jogo.

"I come from a really big club; Melbourne is either Benfica or FC Porto in my country. I came to Portugal to be a better player.

"Half a year after the start, [I] feel this adventure [is headed] in the right way. The adaptation was easier than I thought, everyone helps: Pepa, the staff, my colleagues talk to me a lot.

"In Melbourne, I was in possession, now the style is different, betting on transitions. Football is more intense, more technical, more speed, the pace is higher.

"There is a lot of dispute with the referees, a lot of confusion. That's the same [as Australia]."

 


 

Tondela sit in 10th place in the 18-team competition, 21 points behind league-leaders Porto and eight above last-placed Setubal.

Ansell has represented Australia at Under-17, Under-20 and Under-23 level. The defender is now out to win a spot in the Socceroos' squad for the 2018 World Cup.

"I'm in the right place to learn and reach my dream, which is to play for the national team," he said.