Valkanis injured his left knee in the first half after a challenge with Victory midfielder Leandro Love.

MRI scans this morning revealed Valkanis had torn the anterior cruciate ligament in his left knee requiring the defender to undergo a full knee reconstruction.

”I’m pretty devastated at the moment. I was expecting a big year and especially with it being my first season as captain,” Valkanis said.

“I’m finding it hard to take right now but these things happen in sport and I’ll be working very hard over the next twelve months to hopefully be back for the 2008/09 season.”

Valkanis will see a surgeon on Monday and undergo a knee reconstruction as soon as possible.

Last night’s Round 3 match was Valkanis’s 50th A-League appearance along with Vice-Captain Travis Dodd, but the defender’s night was cruelly cut short as he limped off the field in the 22nd minute.

The 33 year old, who has made one appearance for the Socceroos is expected to be out of action for up to twelve months, including Adelaide United’s 2008 AFC Champions League campaign.

The injury is a major blow for United, with Valkanis not only a reliable central defender but he has also been a pivotal part of Adelaide United in the Hyundai A-League and an inspiration in his short time as captain.

The club will now search for a replacement while Dodd will attain the captaincy for the remainder of the Hyundai A-League 2007/08 Season.