Speaking after the announcement that the PSV and Socceroo midfielder would be heading home for season five of the A-League, Aloisi told au.fourfourtwo.com the signing signals a new era in Australian football.

"It's a massive, massive signing and great for the league. He's got good coaches [at Gold Coast] and it's great we're bringing players back like Jason.

"It sends a message to other [football] codes that we can have world class Aussie players playing in our competition earning a lot of money."

What is getting many people even more excited is the fact that exciting new signings Tahj Minniecon and Shane Smeltz as well as a trio of Brazilian signings are also set to light up Gold Coast's Skilled Park.

"And don't be surprised, and it's a big call, if Gold Coast come out and win the A-League in its first season. They've got the players and coaches and the backing to make things happen," said Aloisi.

"[Owner Clive] Palmer is a winner and it's great to have him in the A-League... I've been up there and every day in the paper there was football and there are people talking about the team and wanting to buy season tickets."

With the A-League becoming more ACL-savvy by the year, Aloisi says Gold Coast is ideally placed with their resources and playing stocks to make a credible challenge to Asia's big guns in years to come - particularly with Culina leading the charge from the midfield engine-room.

"I think they can match the powers in Asia, and it's a credit to Mr Palmer to bring these players in," added Aloisi.

"But also a number of other clubs in the A-League can start to challenge these J-League clubs, especially if we get better players in.

"I mean look at what Adelaide achieved. Our league will improve. So it's not just the Gold Coast but others too can challenge in Asia.

"It's not unthinkable that in the next two or three years an A-League club could win the ACL."

Gold Coast owner, billionaire Clive Palmer, has a fleet of private jets ready to ferry his players to all parts of Asia in pursuit of continental glory.

The club will make its playing debut against Chinese opposition at Beijing's famous Bird's Nest Stadium next June – the venue for the closing and opening ceremonies of the 2008 Olympics.

But Aloisi does have some concerns about the Culina signing. And those worries are not for the domestic game, it's for the Socceroos.

"He's not going to have that week in week out intensity that he's had in Europe. I hope – and I'm scared about it – that he will be still the same player for the Socceroos," said former Socceroo Ross.

"He's one of those players that is under-valued in the national team. He doesn't get all the accolades but so important. So that's why it's a concern."

He added: "It's a big concern for the Socceroos and they may suffer."

Other concerns centre around the lead up to the 2010 World Cup. Assuming Australia qualifies, Culina may find himself without football in the two-three months before the event (depending on United's A-League finals campaign and any amended ACL commitments).

"I'm assuming he'd have a loan deal sorted out if he's not playing club football after the league finishes in 2010, but there are no guarantees in football. It's not as easy as that," said Aloisi.

"But for the league [the signing] is awesome – and he probably hasn't reached his prime."

Culina is said to be on around $1.2m a year for his three year deal on the booming glitter strip in south-east Queensland, making him around the second highest football earner in the country (behind Ross's brother John at Sydney FC).

Culina told the PSV website that his decision wasn't easy. "I want to make a fresh start and I am ready for a new challenge. I am the first [current] international who returns to Australia and I am keen to promote the national competition and raise the standard."

Aloisi adds that season five of the A-League, with its expanded competition and stars like Culina set give the league a shot in the arm, will be the biggest yet.

"And if we make the World Cup that'll add to the hype, Robbie Fowler may play, Jason's back and there's talk of Mile Sterjovski coming back.

"These are big players who will draw big crowds, especially away from home."