Instead though he committed to the club by re-signing with The Reds for the next two seasons.

Highly sought after by other Hyundai A-League clubs and a number of overseas based teams, the 28 year old pocket rocket ended speculation about his immediate future, by putting pen to paper to keep him in Adelaide until 2010.

“I’m very happy because I feel comfortable here, this is my second home and the fans like me and I like the fans,” Cassio said.

“Everything here for me is fantastic and I always try to do my best on the pitch and I think this is an important decision for me to stay here.”

Cassio admitted it was a tough condition with the offers he received from elsewhere, but said his commitment was to Adelaide.

“It’s hard for us because we are professional and we have to look out for our futures. I had some offers from other clubs here and overseas, some of them with better money but I want to stay here, I am clear with this decision and I feel happy with this decision,” Cassio said.

“The A-League clubs I spoke to here were very professional with their intention to want to sign me, and I just want to say they are very good people, but it was my decision to stay here.”

Adelaide United Coach Aurelio Vidmar said securing Cassio for another two years was great news for The Reds going forward, particularly considering the numerous offers he was presented with at other clubs.

“We’re really happy about Cassio signing on for another two years. He is an exceptional footballer and we’re really pleased to have him in our squad,” Vidmar said.

“When you’re out of contract it is always difficult to keep people, especially with the salary cap, but we are trying to make the club as strong as possible for the coming years, and he is certainly in the plans for that. He is going to continue to add value to our team so everyone at the club is extremely happy.”

NQFC boss Don Matheson was quoted yesterday morning saying a deal with Cassio was imminent - but only hours later Adelaide confirmed he was staying with them.

Cassio has been in outstanding form since returning to action from a knee injury midway through 2008, particularly through The Reds’ AFC Champions League Knockout Stage campaign where he has been instrumental in giving the club a foot in the door towards a historic and unprecedented place in the prestigious Final.

Booming onto the Australian scene last year with three scorching goals in The Reds’ 2007 Pre-Season Cup winning squad, Cassio was crowned Adelaide United’s 2007/08 Club Champion in his first season and became an instant favourite among the United faithful.

After a successful domestic season, he looked to take that form into the 2008 AFC Champions League but a knee injury during a trial match was initially expected to see him out of action for up to 12 months. However, the prognosis was better than first thought and after a brief visit home to Brazil, he returned to Adelaide prior to the 2008/09 campaign and has now continued where he left off, mesmerizing opponents both in the Hyundai A-League and ACL.

With the club acquiring fellow left back Scott Jamieson this season, Vidmar has had the luxury of releasing Cassio further up the field, something the former CR Flamengo star has enjoyed, particularly as he searches for his first Hyundai A-League goal.

“We had a feeling that he could do a job further up front for us and with Jamieson playing exceptionally well at left back, Cassio has taken that position with a real passion,” Vidmar said.

“And when you love your job, you’re always playing to the best of your ability and in the last three or four games he has given his all for the club and that has certainly shown in his performances.”