An impressive coaching panel headlined by Mark Rudan and John Anastasiadis has been assembled while a playing group rich in both international experience and promising youth continues to blossom.

The arrival of former Greece captain Panagiotis Kone at the new West Melbourne franchise is a welcome coup for the A-League while the signature of Socceroo Josh Risdon also looms as an exciting one.

However, another intriguing signature captured by Western United is that of Connor Chapman - a player who left the A-League as a young centre-back but returns as a midfield anchor entering the prime of his career.

The 24-year-old spent the last two seasons with Incheon United and Pohang Steelers in Korea, and is confident his time in the K-League will see him return to Australia as a better footballer.

“I definitely think I’ve improved as a player since I left the A-League,” Chapman told FTBL.

“My time in the A-league felt a bit stop-start at times with injuries, but to have my body go more than 60 games over two years in a top league like the K-League, I think I’m definitely coming back as a better footballer and my goal is to be a key player for Western United.

“Technically and speed-wise the game over there sometimes feels a little bit better than the A-League, but that doesn’t mean there’s a huge difference.

“There’s probably a little gap but I think the A-League is still at a very high standard.”

While Chapman featured as a centre-back for both Newcastle Jets and Melbourne City during his time in the A-League, he has since found his feet as a defensive midfielder.

Chapman was praised for his tenacity in midfield and long-range passing during his two seasons in Korea, and even registered four assists in his last campaign with K-League heavyweights Pohang Steelers.

With four centre-backs already on the books at Western United, coach Mark Rudan foresees Chapman functioning as a midfield anchor in a five at the back formation.

“I spoke with Mark Rudan and he made it clear that his plan was to use me in that defensive midfield role,” Chapman revealed.

“My job will be to break up plays and link the play from defence to attack. I think it’s especially crucial in an attacking formation playing five at the back to have a defensive midfielder to ensure you don’t get hurt on the counter attack.”

“That’s the role I see myself playing.”

As Mark Rudan continues to assemble his squad, anticipation continues to mount over the arrival of a new A-League franchise.

Western United will be the sixth team to join the competition since its inception in 2005, following Wellington Phoenix (2007), Gold Coast United (2008), North Queensland Fury (2008), Melbourne Heart (2009) and Western Sydney Wanderers (2012).

According to Chapman, the foundation has been laid for Western United’s long-term future, and anything short of a top three finish in its inaugural season could be viewed as a failure.

He added: “The club’s got massive ambitions.

"I made it clear to Rudes that I wanted to play for a club that will be challenging for at least a top three, top four spot come the end of the season.

“They promised me they would sign a strong team that would fight for the title and I feel like we have a really strong team at the moment and they’re pressing for more big players.

“I know we’ve got three or four foreigners left which are always a big part of a squad, I’ve got faith in the club that we’re going to have a very good team, and for me if we don’t get a top three or four finish with the team that we are assembling, I feel that that will be a failure for us next season.”

Western United will start pre-season training on July 15.