Reds snare Van Dijk

The deal will keep Van Dijk, who was already at the Reds on a short term deal, at the club until the end of the 2012/13 season.

With a scoring record of a goal every two games in his 50 A-League appearances with Brisbane, the 27-year-old’s signature was in demand, with at least two clubs believed to be gunning for the striker.

“We’re really rapt that Sergio has decided to stay with Adelaide United,” Reds coach Aurelio Vidmar said.

“We believe he is a fantastic footballer first and foremost, and also a fantastic personality, so we’re really rapt to have him sign.”

In two AFC Champions League (ACL) games Van Dijk has demonstrated the value he brings to Adelaide, with Vidmar stressing the club made it a priority 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…so 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,” Vidmar said.

“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.”

“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.”

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. 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,” Van Dijk said.

“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.”