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The Wanderers yesterday  unveiled their hooped black and red playing strip and their first three player signings at their part-time home ground Parramatta Stadium.

Former Newcastle Jets defender Tarek Elrich and youngsters Aaron Mooy and Kwabena Appiah-Kubi are the first players to be confirmed as part of the new club, with more signings expected in coming days.

But with now just three months until their first competitive match - their A-League opener against Central Coast Mariners - Popovic will need to work overtime to sign his squad and have them gel.

Adding to the former Socceroos' woes is the understanding that the FFA - bankrolling the club in its initial seasons - are keeping a tight hold of the pursestrings, limiting the coach's options.

However Popovic said finding the right player to suit his style of game would be more important than bringing in an international marquee star.

"Foreign players play a key role in A-League but you need to pick the right ones," Popovic said at the club's unveiling yesterday.

"If we don't feel that a foreign player can add value to this club then we'll be more than happy to play local players whether they're state league players or domestic players from A-League.

"You don't want to rush into just signing numbers.

"We want to pick the right players for the club and that takes a bit of time and planning but we're on the right track."

Popovic is giving little away about his expectations for the club's debut season. Bookies slike Sportsbet.com.au have them as unlikely $34 outsiders to challenge for the title.

"The one thing you can be sure of is we'll definitely be competitive in that first game against Central Coast, that I can assure everyone," he insisted.

"There is a bit of unknown, there'll be bumps along the way but we're very confident we'll put a team together that the people of this region will be proud of.

"We have time but it's challenging with not having a lot of players in training from day one (next month) but we accept that and we won't make any excuses.

"We'll work along and get them ready for the start."

Popovic said the club's first three signings - all western Sydney juniors - proved the club was serious about giving locals a chance to be a part of the new franchise.

Midfielder Mooy has joined the club from Scottish Premier League side St Mirren and said he had jumped at the the chance to play in the inaugural Wanderers squad.

"I grew up around here all my life so it's very special for a club to be around the area and I'm happy to be a part of it," he said.

"It great to finally get a western Sydney club in the A-League and all the young kids growing up in the area have something to look forward to now.

"I just can't wait to play in front of them and hopefully impress."

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