A-League clubs inlcuding Sydney FC have been wooing van Dijk but after becoming attached to the club and the city since arriving for the Reds' AFC Champions League 2010 campaign, the former Brisbane Roar forward has decided his future is in Adelaide.

The new deal will keep van Dijk, who scored his debut Adelaide United goal in last Wednesday's 2-0 win over Shandong Luneng in China, at the Reds until the end of the 2012/13 season.

With a scoring record of a goal every two games in his 50 Hyundai A-League appearances with Brisbane Roar, the 27 year olds signature was in high demand for good reason, and Reds Coach Aurelio Vidmar knows he has managed to secure a quality acquisition.

"We're really rapt that Sergio has decided to stay with Adelaide United," Vidmar said. "We believe he is a fantastic footballer first and foremost, and also a fantastic personality, so we're really wrapt to have him sign."

In just two ACL games Van Dijk has already demonstrated the value he brings to United, and after the Reds' struggles in finding the back of the net last season, Vidmar says the club had set out to hold onto him for an extended period.

"It was pretty hard work, but Sergio kept all his dealings with the clubs he was negotiating with in a really professional manner," said Vidmar.

"We had to do a little bit of digging but I think we dug deep enough, and at the end we got the person we wanted. He's had a fantastic two years in Brisbane.

"You know if you're going to get a proven goal scorer like that, you're always going to have to dig a little bit deep in your pockets but that's the same everywhere in the world."

He added: "We knew exactly what we were getting with Sergio.

"We've seen him here over the last couple of years, and we had the opportunity to take him through the AFC Champions League and the club has done a lot of hard work in trying to get him here for the next few years."

After initially not seeing himself staying with the 2008 ACL finalists in the long term, Van Dijk admits his fondness of Adelaide has grown the longer he has been in the South Australian capital and it was this ‘total package', including securing a three year contract to remain in Australia, that sealed the deal.

"At first I didn't think I would stay here for a longer term," he admitted. "The Asian Champions League was the main thing.

"But since I came here, I must say everything was getting better, Adelaide as a city, but also the squad and I'm very happy to stay here. What surprised me over here was that everything is so well organised.

"When I came here everything was arranged really well, it was really easy to settle in and that was important for me, as well as the results of the team. That's why I'm staying here, and for a three year deal.

"That's a long time for me to stay in Australia and that's what I want."

Another lure that convinced van Dijk to stay with the Reds has been the team's performances in the Asian Champions League, which he believes have shown signs of excellent promise moving ahead towards future A-League campaigns, and another possible run in the ACL finals.

As van Dijk formalised his arrival, several players are also leaving the club in the off season, with Kristian Sarkies returning to Melbourne after signing with the league's newest franchise, Melbourne Heart and Michael Marrone heading to North Queensland Fury for season 2010-11.

 

 

Brazilians Cristiano and Alemao are also expected to depart the Reds while striker Lloyd Owusu is another player tipped to leave.

This will no doubt free-up United's finances to allow for van Dijk and Vidmar insists there's still an option for more signings, as well as the possibility of recruiting a marquee player.

"We've still got a little bit of money in the salary cap," he said. "That's how the salary cap works.

"People leave and there's a little bit of money left. There's still probably room for one or two more signings."

Vidmar also said it may be time for change when quizzed on the video-replay technology debate in light of Sydney FC's Chris Payne's controversial handball goal in the 4-2 preliminary final victory over Wellington Phoenix.

"Situation's like that, I don't think it takes too much time to sit back and it will probably take 30 seconds to rewind the tape and have a look at it," he said.

"Something that happens like that, they (FIFA) probably need to be a bit more broad minded, because we've seen this one and the Henry incident.

"There's been a couple in the last month that have happened. It's probably easier to rewind the tape, 30 seconds later and get a result."

But the Red's boss also admitted to using his hand during his playing days.

He added: "I think we're forgetting why we're here this morning (laughs). Ah yes I have, (used hand to score) ... no I didn't (get caught)."