The sky blues officially kick off their preparations for season six of the A-League this morning (Monday) at their Macquarie University base.

New signings Nick Carle and Scott Jamieson join the group the following Monday and a new striker is said to be on his way in the next few weeks.

The sky blues will have four European opponents to play in Sydney in the lead up to the new season. Everton on July 10 at ANZ stadium is followed by the Sydney Festival of Football tournament from July 25-31 at the SFS.

Vitezslav Lavicka's men will open the tournament with a clash against Greek power AEK followed by double-headers with former EPL winner Blackburn and Scottish power Glasgow Rangers.

It looms as a fabulous pre-season for fans ordinarily accustomed to a long pre-season with low-profile friendlies against state league opposition.

But McFlynn, 29, isn't being distracted by the attention surrounding July's games ahead of the A-League opener against their bitter rival - who they beat in the A-League grand final in Melbourne just three months ago - at the SFS. 

"The main thing is we keep everyone fit and healthy for the Melbourne game but this really helps our pre-season," he told au.fourfourtwo.com at the Festival of Football launch.

"The A-League is our focus but obviously this is a massive help. It's great for us to be playing against these top European sides as preparation for another tough A-League season and Asian Champions League campaign."

McFlynn added that six weeks of intense pre-season work under Lavicka will be more than enough to prepare the sky blues for these tough games.

It will also be vital for Jamieson, Carle and the mystery new target-man to get accustomed to the A-League double winners' game plan.  

"I think the preparation will be perfect," said McFlynn. "It helps get the new players too adjusted to our system but the first game against Melbourne Victory is the main focus at the minute.

"The good thing at the minute is the strength and depth we've got. Everyone's pushing for a first team spot. That can only breed healthy competition."

McFlynn, likely to take the armband this season, is the only original left from the first season of the club five years ago.

He said the new direction the club has takent with their bold community marketing strategy and signing a foreign manager in Lavicka has paid off.   

He added: "It just shows the direction the club is going in and the culture and structure the manager has brought in.

"Everyone's embraced it and to think, five years down the line we can attract teams like Rangers, Blackburn and AEK shows the club is doing the right thing."