Birighitti was overlooked for Australia’s 2018 World Cup squad after falling out of favour in his maiden season at NAC and is currently on holidays in Greece.

The 27-year-old goalkeeper moved from Swansea City to NAC in September on a two-year deal chasing first-team football.

He initially was the side’s preferred custodian until a poor run of league results, which had the club fearing relegation, led to him being demoted for understudy Nigel Bertrams.

NAC avoided relegation and have undergone a change of management in the off-season, with Stijn Breven replaced by reported Sydney FC target Mitchell van der Gaag.

“Who knows what’s going to happen next season,” Birighitti told FourFourTwo.

“I currently have one more year left on my contract and with a new coach arriving to the club it brings new opportunities.”

Birighitti is at his third European club with NAC, having spent time on loan with Varese in Italy’s Serie B in 2015, along with Swansea whom he joined in 2016 from Newcastle Jets.

The Perth-born shot-stopper felt he was in the right league with the right club to take the next step in his career.

“The Eredivisie is a great league for any player to develop and to make that next step,” Birighitti said.

“Personally I played 19 games and during that time my performances were not as consistent as I would have liked to have been.

“I’m working hard day-in day-out on my game and always finding things to improve on.”

Birighitti was relegated to second choice by Breven following a 6-1 win over Heracles.

“No there was no real reason,” Birighitti said.

“There was a phase we went through where we weren’t winning games and there was a lot of outside pressure from the supporters to make changes to the whole team.”

Ultimately, Birighitti watched on from the sidelines as NAC fought off relegation to remain in the top flight.

“We have a very young team with many inexperienced players and for a majority of them it was there first season playing at a top level,” he said.

“It was important for a club like NAC to stay in the Eredivisie.

“It’s a great city with passionate supporters.”

NAC return to pre-season on June 28, although Birighitti will be cheering on the Socceroos in the meantime.

“Of course I’ll be watching the World Cup,” he said. “I’ll be supporting our boys for sure.”

The former Jets and Adelaide United goalkeeper remains hopeful of returning to the national set-up with a view to January’s Asian Cup defence in UAE.

“There’s nothing better than representing your country,” Birighitti said.

“My main objective now is to go back in pre-season work hard and cement the number one spot for NAC.”