Cristiano is the club’s fourth Brazilian in The Reds’ squad for 2008/09, the 27-year-old joining countrymen Diego, Alemao and Cassio, the latter who has been cleared to resume pre-season training after suffering a knee injury.

Cristiano comes to Adelaide with 10 years experience playing in Holland and an ominous reputation for scoring goals, and his presence is set to provide United with added fire power in attack, especially after the departure of Nathan Burns and Bruce Djite to European clubs.

After hearing positive things about the Hyundai A-League from Cassio and through TV and internet in Holland, Cristiano is excited about the prospect of joining The Reds.

He said: "Adelaide is a very nice club. They have a very good name and I saw a lot of things about Adelaide on the internet and that’s why it was the choice for me.

“We have a lot of quality with Cassio, Diego and now Alemao along with the other players, and for me it made the choice easy. I was in Brazil last week and I talked with Cassio about the club and it was all positive.”

Cristiano was further enticed to test himself in Australia after the previous stints in the Hyundai A-League of other high profile Brazilians Romario, who had a four game stint with The Reds in 2006/07, and Mario Jardel, who was with the Newcastle Jets.

He said: "It is a big change for me because I am on the other side of the world but in the last few years I have seen the name of Australia a lot on TV. Other Brazilian players like Romario and Jardel, they spoke positively about Australia and the Hyundai A-League and that’s why I want to come here."

After completing the 2007/08 Dutch season with Willem II, Cristiano has been in Brazil resting for the past four weeks and says he is fit and raring to go.

Sydneysider Scott Jamieson also arrived in Adelaide to start his tenure with United, the 19-year-old having spent the last three years at English Premier League club Bolton Wanderers. After struggling to cement a spot in Bolton’s first team, Jamieson is looking forward to getting back into first team football and making an impact in the Hyundai A-League.

He said: "It’s a tough market to crack overseas and I’m only 19 so right now, I’m just focused on doing well for Adelaide United and I’m really excited about the challenge ahead.

“I think Adelaide United can improve me and I can improve them, and I believe we can win things here and I can improve as a player.”

Adelaide United Coach Aurelio Vidmar believes Cristiano and Jamieson both have the qualities to help United towards further success.

He said: "I think in Cristiano you are going to get a fair bit of experience, he’s someone that has over ten years experience in Europe. He knows how to score goals, he’s very much a team player, so we’re very much looking forward to him contributing in a big way. I think he’s got the makings of being a star in this competition.

“Scott (Jamieson) is a young kid who wants to get back into the first team environment, and we’ve given him that opportunity. He’s very quick and aggressive and we think he’s got a little bit of something in him where he can be a good contributor for us as well.”

With Cristiano and Jamieson’s arrivals, United’s squad is taking shape and Vidmar should have everyone ready for the start of pre-season training next Monday, June 23.