Ontong, who captained the Young Socceroos at the 2006 AFC Youth Championships and has 10 caps at international U20 level, will help plug the gaps left by Jets departees Mark Bridge, Andrew Durante, Stuart Musialik, Denni and Troy Hearfield.

Ontong's manager Ritchie Hinton from ESP in Melbourne confirmed the move, saying: “While he’s disappointed to leave Adelaide United he’s looking forward to playing a second consecutive season of Asian Champions League football with the A-League Grand Final winners the Newcastle Jets."

The 21-year-old right-sided midfielder signed for Adelaide in June last year on a one year contract as one of Adelaide's three youth players. He made nine A-League appearances, including one start, before being sidelined with an ankle injury.