Former Juventus ‘keeper Jess Vanstrattan is the first major signing for the new club and was unveiled to local media today along with number two shot-stopper Scott Higgins and Goalkeeping Coach Graham Ross.

Gosford-born Vanstrattan has spent the last seven years in Italy with Verona FC and one of the powerhouses of world football, Turin-based club Juventus FC. After being released from Juventus in June, Bleiberg wasted no time in opening negotiations with the 26-year-old who turned out for the Italian giants in their 4-1 friendly win over Melbourne Victory at the Telstra Dome last May.

The former Australian Under 17 and Under 20 international penned a two-year deal with United and is keen to get back to playing regular first team football. The 191cm gloveman says he sees the move as an ideal opportunity to put himself back on Pim Verbeek’s radar for full Socceroo selection.

“I definitely want to be involved in the Socceroos squad and to do that I have to be playing regular football. I’ve learned a lot in Italy but it hasn’t been without its frustrations and sometimes things haven’t gone my way.

“I’m confident in my ability and there’s a lot I want to achieve in my career. This is the right move at the right time for me and everything about this deal, from the football opportunities to the lifestyle, is very positive; I can’t wait to get started,” Vanstrattan said.

“It’s an exciting time for football in Australia and having been overseas for quite some time I’ve decided the time is right to come back home. Football is growing here now and I want to be part of that growth,” he added.

Having spent time at one of the world’s most famous clubs, Vanstrattan highlighted the vision and aspirations of club Chairman and owner, Professor Clive Palmer, as a significant factor in his decision to make Gold Coast United his destination.

“I like the ambition of Mr Palmer and I’m very confident that I’m joining what is going to be a great club,” he said.

“I’ve been in Europe for a while now and I’ve been fortunate enough to be involved with some very big clubs. One of the things that attracted me to this opportunity at Gold Coast United is the fact that they want to be best club in the country.

“The Gold Coast itself also played a big part in my decision because I love the place; we used to have family holidays here. I really enjoy the beach lifestyle and surfing is an interest of mine, so the whole package, the whole experience, it suits me perfectly.”

Before moving to Italy, Vanstrattan kept goal for the Australian Under 17 team that made it to the 1999 Under 17 World Cup Final, only to lose to Brazil on a penalty shoot-out. United Coach Miron Bleiberg sees Vanstrattan as the solid foundation upon which he can build the rest of his side as he looks to make an immediate impact on the Hyundai A-League.

“You can play attacking football if you know the defence is strong. As soon as we knew Jess was available he was our number one target. At Juventus he has been the understudy to arguably the top goalkeeper in the world [Gianluigi Buffon] so he has learned his trade from a master,” said Bleiberg.

“We had the opportunity to sign other established goalkeepers, but Jess has a very good pedigree and he is an ideal fit for our club.

“We wanted our goalkeeping department to be strong and with Jess, Scott Higgins and Graham Ross that’s exactly what we have. Scott has played in the Hyundai A-League before and has a lot of experience; he will do well for us when called upon.”

For ex-Queensland Roar goalkeeper Higgins, signing on the dotted line for Gold Coast United means a welcome return to home soil after plying his trade with Scottish Premier League outfit Falkirk before shifting to Israeli side Maccabi Herzliya.

Charged with the responsibility of bringing out the best in United’s two custodians is Graham Ross, who joins Paul Okon as the next member of Miron Bleiberg’s backroom team.

A successful goalkeeper in his own right, Ross was a member of the Brisbane Strikers’ Grand Final winning side in 1997 and has since embarked on a flourishing local coaching career that has seen him become one of Queensland’s most respected authorities on the art of goalkeeping.

“Graham is a student of the game and brings a lot to the table, not just his goalkeeping knowledge. He will add a great deal to our club,” Bleiberg said.