The Aussie left AC Siena for Glasgow Rangers for that very reason. But four months into a one-year deal he was packing his bags and thinking of re-settling Down Under for the first time in four years.

Within a week of touching down in his home town, Stella was thrown into one of the biggest games of the Victory calendar – making his 15 minute A-League debut at the tail end of the Big Blue against fierce rivals Sydney FC.

If all goes to plan for the young attacker he’ll make his second first team appearance in one of the most anticipated match-ups of the A-League season – Saturday’s Melbourne derby at Etihad Stadium.

It’s everything he ever wanted from his time abroad but had to come home to find.

“When I signed (with Rangers) it seemed like everything was going to be a lot different but I only ever played one game and it was a friendly match,” Stella said.

“I did well in that game, scored as well, and then I was benched a few times and after that I was never given another opportunity.

“It was a bit strange. Every time I spoke to the manager I was always told that I was doing well and be patient and sooner or later I’d be given another chance.

“Maybe because they’d been relegated to such a low division they were looking at rebuilding from the youth system there. A lot of their young players were being given a chance.

“It’s just my impression. I know I definitely deserved more I just wasn’t given that chance. I was going to leave anyway because I wasn’t happy and it was just a bonus that Melbourne Victory came along.”

Back in September the Scottish Daily Record captured Stella’s enthusiasm, arriving at Ibrox on a free with hopes of following in the footsteps of Craig Moore, Tony Vidmar and Kevin Muscat, now Victory’s assistant coach.

"I am delighted to sign for Rangers,” he said at the time. “It's a great move for me to join such a big club and I can't wait to get started.”

Stella describes it as another footballing lesson. He’s chalked up a few since heading to Italy as a 16-year-old to join the Chievo youth system. After returning briefly to complete his schooling, and play a season with South Melbourne, the talented attacker was snapped up on a three year deal by Siena where he trained with the first team squad but never made his debut.

He admits it was tough at times.

“I was coming home at Christmas but only for a week or so,” he said. “I had family in Italy from my Mum’s side but they were far away from me.

“It’s not as easy as many people think. Sometimes people think footballers have such a great life – they get paid well and all that.

“Sometimes they overlook aspects like family. For me it was very tough – I sort of got used to it after the first couple of years.”

Victory coach Ange Postecoglou clearly rates the lanky footballer and the two-and-a-half year deal has given Stella confidence that the A-League outfit is keen to make it work.

Most of all, he has no regrets about the way he got here.

“I think that if you’re willing to sacrifice a lot of the things that you have here then going overseas is definitely going to improve you – not only as a player both technically and physically and all that – but personally,” he said.

“I know it helped me mature a lot quicker. It builds character. I think I’ve become a lot stronger mentally after spending all that time away.”