Fowler was confirmed this morning as a marquee signing for two years at the new franchise based in Townsville, north Queensland.

Rizzo got to see Fowler close up when the Aussie winger was a fringe player at the English giants in the mid-late 90s.

And he has no doubt Fowler has still got what it takes despite the heat factor of tropical north Queensland.

"He is the best striker of a ball I've ever seen in my career," Rizzo told au.fourfourtwo.com. "He could smack a ball with no back lift. It's fantastic for the A-League. Unbelievable.

"And he's a nice bloke who always had time for the younger players. I learned a lot from him."

He added: "I think the key to the heat factor is him acclimatising.

"I believe he'll be there [in north Queensland] quite early so I'm sure their conditioning staff will have him ready for the season."

Rizzo predicts Fowler could hit double figures in his first season - particularly as the league is now a  ten team, 27 round competition rather than 21 from an eight team league.

And Rizzo says he's looking forward to rubbing shoulders with Fowler next season after splitting with Perth Glory.

The former Liverpool, Crystal Palace, Ternana and MK Dons winger, 29, did not have his contract renewed at Glory after the club signed Dutchman Victor Sikora.

But Rizzo believes he can make a splash elsewhere in the A-League.

"I'm not bitter," he said. "I feel really positive. I had a good end to the season. I took my chance and I was playing regularly.

"With a good pre-season, I feel I can really contribute elsewhere in the A-League and I look forward to that."