Adelaide United Football Club Chairman Mel Patzwald expressed his delight with the announcement, after a  successful playing career which included the captaincy of the Reds.

Valkanis's appointment maintains the club's policy of recruiting from within, providing former stars with a career path after their retirements as players, including Aurelio Vidmar, Carl Veart and Richie Alagich.

"I am delighted with Michael's acceptance of this position," said Patzwald. "As we all know, Michael was originally earmarked as the Director of the soon to be established Adelaide United Football academy.

"After the decision of Michael Petrillo to resign, we have decided to expand the scope of Michael Valkanis's position into a more strategic role, which includes the leadership and direction of the whole Football Department."

Valkanis is looking forward to the challenge of building a good future for a club which has been very successful in the Hyundai A-League.

"I have been playing football all my life and this new job will be a very big challenge for me, and I can't wait to start," he said today.

"I am very passionate about Adelaide United and we have had a lot of success in the first four years of the A-League, and this position is something that I will do with the same passion, as I gave on the field as a player."

Valkanis will officially begin as Football Director on April 1.