Stefanutto is currently back in Australia on holiday on the Gold Coast with his wife and young baby daughter, catching up with family during the close season in Norway.

The Lillestrom ace has signed to rivals Lyn Oslo for the start of their new season in March after shining in the past year at his old club.

“This year was my best season and I played well plus I got my Australian cap,” he admitted. “I was coming out of contract and had an incentive so I was really eager to play well.

“It’s a very tough kind of football in Norway, quite physical and quite fast. It’s probably under-rated but we played Newcastle United in the Intertoto Cup and drew 1-1 with them at St James Park.

“I’ve been a better player for being there and I’m looking forward to joining Lyn Oslo. They’re probably not as big a club as Lillestrom and they have a lot of young players who they want me to help develop them.

“I’m hoping it becomes a top club.”

The harsh Scandinavian winter forces a long off-season in Norway’s Tippeligaen which sparked speculation Shane may join Sydney for a loan spell to keep him in shape for Australia’s World Cup qualifying campaign.

The Sky Blues are in desperate need of a left back and Stefanutto seemed to fit the bill perfectly.

But he said today: “Obviously it’s possible but I don’t think my club in Norway would be too happy. It would coincide with my new club’s pre-season which is quite tough and we’re off to training camp in Spain.

“It’s tempting though and if I hadn’t signed the contract with Lyn Oslo, I would be considering Sydney because it’s a good club, a good opportunity and John Kosmina’s there now.”

He added: “I’ve got a three year contract with Lyn Oslo for the moment but it might be a good fit for me in the future.

“I’ve been reading about Sydney needing a leftback. There are just spells where there seem to be no leftbacks out there – which is quite nice for me in the future.”

While a spell in Sydney might be out the question, Shane has offered to make himself available for the Socceroos when they face their early World Cup qualifying matches in February.

“It’s up to the FFA obviously, but I start back in pre-season training in early January and will have a month of training under my belt before the first match,” he said.

“I don’t have any games in that period though so I can come into a Socceroos camp quite early and get used to the system.”

He added: “I don’t know too much about Pim Verbeek apart from what I’ve read on the internet and hearing what the other players are saying about him.

“But I like that he has experience in Asia. That’s a big bonus – and I’m looking forward to meeting him and hopefully getting an opportunity.”

In the meantime, Shane is simply enjoying the warmth of being back in Australia.

“It’s good to be back with the family…if it would only stop raining,” he joked. “But it’s still warmer than what I’ve left behind.

“It’s a great lifestyle in Norway and the people are very friendly but it’s one of the most expensive countries in the world. The medical system is great though and it’s very safe and a fabulous place to bring up a family.”

He added: “Arriving there was a big shock after coming from Cairns and the Gold Coast though. I’d never been to the cold or gone skiing before I arrived over there.

“On my first day the snow was coming down by the bucketload and I couldn’t believe it! People say it must be nice having a white Christmas and it was – the first time.

“The novelty wears off pretty quickly though…”