Stambolziev had to adapt on the run when he joined Sydney FC midway through last season, but now, as he goes through a full pre-season with the rest of the squad, he is looking forward to breaking out in the new campaign.
"Every footballer wants to get through a pre-season injury-free," Stambolziev said.
"I'm hoping to do that and at the same time I'm getting to know everyone properly and making sure I'm right up on the tactical side of things. I'm looking forward to the season ahead."
Stambolziev made nine A-League appearances for Sydney FC last season and impressed coach Graham Arnold enough to be named in the squad for both the semi-final against Adelaide United and grand final against Melbourne Victory.
He was not used in either the 4-1 win over Adelaide, or the 3-0 loss to Victory, but he is philosophical about it all.
"Everyone wants to be a part of the big days, that's what you strive for as a professional footballer," Stambolziev said.
"You want to be playing in front of the biggest crowds on the biggest days.
"Naturally it was disappointing not to play in those games, but I look back at the last few months for me in Greece before that and remember how the club I was playing for there had problems and I wasn't getting paid.
"Going from there to be a part of Sydney FC and in the squad challenging for the title was a wonderful turnaround for me. I feel very fortunate that I was able to do that."
Sydney is competing in three competitions this season - the A-League, AFC Asian Champions League and FFA Cup. It will play a round of 16 FFA Cup game against Adelaide at Coopers Stadium on Wednesday night.
FFA Cup Round of 16 Match Details - Wednesday 26 August (Kick-offs 7.30pm)
| Fixture | Venue | ||
| v | Coopers Stadium, Hindmarsh SA | ||
| v | AAMI Park, Melbourne VIC | ||
| (VIC) | v | (NSW) | Olympic Village, Heidelberg West VIC |
| (QLD) | v | Perry Park, Bowen Hills QLD | |
The season schedule will be busy, which means everyone will get their opportunity to show they should be in the starting side.
"It's a credit to the coaching staff and management at Sydney FC that they've brought in great competition for places," Stambolziev said.
"And with Graham Arnold, everyone's on the same par. If you play well, you know you're always going to be involved, so it's just about maintaining your form and anything's possible."
Stambolziev, now 24, had no choice but to grow up quickly.
He hit the road in his mid-teens to try to make his mark in football, but now his career has come full circle with his return to Australia.
"I first headed over to the UK when I was 14, for a trial with Bristol City," Stambolziev said.
"I came back here at 15 for a little while and then went back overseas to England, at Bristol City, and then on to Greece and Cyprus and back to Greece.
"While I was at Bristol I was put in to what they call 'digs', so I lived with a family that was associated with the club and they looked after me.
"I was fortunate that for some of the time when I was in Britain my older brother lived in London, so I had some family over there. He would try to come to as many games as he could and I would head over to his place when I could as well.
"But he left after six months, so I was on my own for the rest of the time away."
Stambolziev made sure he finished his high school education despite being on the other side of the world. It was a a sign of the discpline he has, which has helped him on his journey as a professional footballer.
"I left school at the end of year 10 to go back to Bristol and I was fortunate that I finished my education through correspondence," he said.
"That made my mum happy. I finished year 12 from over in Britain, online. I got through it in the end.
"On the football side of things, you have your highs and lows and the good times you want to share with your family and friends when they're there, but when you have your lows and you're on your own it's hard, because you don't have anyone around.
"You do grow up quickly, but it was a great learning experience and something that I don't regret and I'm proud that I did it.
"Football was always the priority. I left Australia to follow my dreams in football, but I do know there's some back-up, having finished my education, and you need a back-up. I'm glad to have that."
Stambolziev said that for the most part he thoroughly enjoyed his time in Greece, playing for several clubs.
He learnt from some excellent players while he was there, even though his Greek expeirence ended on a sour note.
"After Bristol City, Panathinaikos showed interest and they were amazing years for me as a young player there," Stambolziev said.
"I got to train every day with players like Gilberto Silva. I played with Luis Garcia, which was great for me as a Liverpool fan growing up.
"It was a terrific experience, learning off them day to day.
"At my last club (Niki Volos), I had a three-month contract and six months into it the contract got terminated because the club got kicked out of the Greek Super League.
"But football has its ups and downs and you learn from that. Next I came to Sydney FC and we went close to winning the championship last season."
As a wide attacking player, Stambolziev will be competing with several players for starting places at Sydney FC this season, but he is happy to take his chances there.
"I can play on the right or the left," Stambolziev said.
"We've got great wingers at the club, in Chris Naumoff, Andrew Hoole and Filip Hilosko, the marquee, but I enjoy the competition.
"I'm just out there and doing my thing and being an attacking player, trying to create and score goals and help the team as best as I can."
