To see Bridges in action with his new club...

The former Leeds United striker, who has joined Branko Culina’s side on a loan deal from Championship side Hull City, trained with his new teammates for the first time today and declared himself impressed with his temporary new home.

First impressions were very positive from Culina’s point of view as well and the Sydney boss has already seen enough to know he hasn’t landed a bad player.

Bridges, who was part of the Leeds side that reached the semi-finals of the UEFA Cup and Champions League in successive seasons believes his old mate Harry Kewell wasn’t wrong in talking up Australian football, nor ex Sydney FC skipper Dwight Yorke.

Bridges hopes to bring goals to the Sydney FC party but insists there more to him as well.

“I have a good brain," he said today. "I think with the likes of Juninho it’s going to be outstanding.

"If we’re on the same wavelength then hopefully we can gel and get the goals. My main priority is to play for Sydney and score goals.”

Having got the jet lag out of his limbs, Bridges looked happy and relaxed as he reflected on his first workout with his new colleagues.

“It’s been fantastic and they’ve put on a great session," said the 29 year old. "The sun’s out and I’ll have to wear suntan lotion to train.

"The boys are looking good. I’m a bit gutted that I can’t be involved on Saturday (against Adelaide United) because of the visa situation.

"But it gives me a chance to be with them for a week and get some more training under my belt."

He added: "The legs are fine. I’ve had a full pre-season, we’re 12 games in to the new season (in England) and I’ve only missed the last four.”

Adapting to the different conditions is one of the player’s biggest challenges with English temperatures now dipping as winter approaches – something of a contrast to sunny Sydney.

Bridges said: “It gives me a good week to adapt to the heat. I’m glad the games here kick off at night time.

Bridges said he expects to see quality football in the A-League.

“I spoke to Harry Kewell, a Sydney boy," he revealed. "He said it’s a good standard, get yourself over there and you’ll thoroughly enjoy it.

"I’ve done a little bit of research on the internet and I think it’s going to be competitive.”

Bridges accepts there is pressure to perform in a new country but then he has no problem with that.

He added: “I’m not coming out here for a jolly-up, I’m coming out here to work hard and do my best for the team.

"I want to be part of this team and get it back up where they belong. They won it in the first season and there’s high standards here.”

That will be music to the ears of Culina and he seems delighted to have Bridges on board.

“It was very pleasing for his first training session," said Culina. "Not only did he move well but he seems to have a reasonable touch on him as well, which is what we were hoping for.”

Culina had one word when asked how he felt Bridges would fit into his team -"Easily".

“Good players always fit in my teams," he said. "He looks like a quality player.

"You can tell a bad player immediately. A good one takes a little bit longer. Michael’s definitely not a bad player.”

The coach also feels Bridges’ arrival can help lift some of the existing players.

He added: “I’d say so. It’s fair to say we’ve been talking about the importance of lifting the tempo of our training because that’s the way we want to play.

"Michael’s arrival has certainly assisted that.”

To see Bridges in action with his new club...