Rudan has signed a one year contract with a view to an extension into the Reds' 2010 AFC Champions League campaign and is likely to line alongside fellow former Sydney defender Iain Fyfe.

United's defence boasted the best defensive record in the league last season but has since farewelled Ange Costanzo to Newcastle Jets, Michael Valkanis (retired) and Sasa Ognenovski to Seongnam Ilhwa in Korea.

The Reds' latest signing comes just a day out from the club's Hyundai A-League season opener against Perth Glory tomorrow night.

Despite being touted as having to fill the shoes of Ognenovski, the 33 year old says he feels no pressure stepping into a leadership role in United's defence.

But while Rudan - most recently with Swiss League side FC Vaduz and before that, J2.League side Avispa Fukuoka - is now officially an Adelaide United player, he will miss the Glory tie tomorrow night as he will be back in Sydney organising his relocation to Adelaide.

United Coach Aurelio Vidmar says Rudan brings a number of fantastic attributes to the club, and will prove to be of ‘massive help' to the team.

"We're very pleased to have signed Mark," said Vidmar. "He gives us a lot of experience and a hell of a lot of leadership, and he's going to be a great addition to the squad.

"We're really pleased, and hopefully in the next couple of weeks he'll get up to scratch and be ready to go. He's had a run around with us this week and he looks in pretty good shape.

"For someone who is 33 years of age, he looks like a youngster in terms of the way he looks after himself and the way he is moving."

Rudan has been in Adelaide since Monday after being invited by Vidmar to spend some time to train with the squad.

His medical test and performances on the track convinced the Adelaide United coach that he would add significantly to the club

Rudan added: "I know what it takes to win one (a championship) so if I can pass on my experiences and so forth to the boys, I'll be doing that in abundance so that is the main aim, to win the league.

"I've been very impressed with the club. Viddie and his coaching staff made me feel very welcome.

"It's a family friendly club, very professional and I was surprised by the level of professionalism here as well as the standard of the players, so I'm really looking forward to it."