Beat the drum, Fernando on way to United
VAL MIGLIACCIO
15sep05

SPECULATION is mounting that Adelaide United is set to parade Brazilian striker Fernando Rech as its newest signing on Monday.

Argentine international Dario Hussain, who played Serie A football in Italy, was discounted as a serious United prospect after sources revealed that the Reds had gone cold on the silky striker.

Former Brisbane Strikers attacker Anthony Roche and Argentine striker Perezlindo have also been mentioned as possible targets to come to SA.

But Rech stands out as the ideal candidate to fill United's attacking void.

Rech is apparently about to sign a four-year contract for an estimated $200,000 per season.

The club, however, is reluctant to release the details of Rech's prized signature until the flamboyant Brazilian lobs into Adelaide. It's believed Rech and United have signed a confidentiality agreement until the deal is done.

United chief executive Michael Petrillo said the club was close to securing a striker but denied naming Rech as the No. 1 priority.

"A decision will be made early next week," Petrillo said.

"We've been looking at numerous options for the past two or three weeks. We're currently deciding who will best suit the Adelaide United Football Club.

"There are also salary cap conditions we need to consider."

Rech, 31, will wear Reds' assistant coach Aurelio Vidmar's former No. 10 shirt after the ex-Socceroo retired last month.

Last year Rech helped Brazil's Esportivo gain promotion by topping the club's goalscoring charts with 14 goals.

Reds' boss John Kosmina coached Rech from 2000 until 2003 at Brisbane Strikers.

"Fernando is an exciting player," Kosmina has said.

"He knows the system and he's got the typical Brazilian flair.

"He can play in attack or in the attacking midfielder's position."

In 2002 Rech won the NSL player of the year for Strikers before transferring to the defunct Parramatta Power in 2003.

Queensland Roar tried to lure Rech at the end of last year but the Brazilian couldn't come to terms with the A-League club.

Kosmina rated Rech as Australian football's best import while the marksman was at Brisbane.

Reds complete squad!
Thursday, 15 September, 2005 - 3:58PM



I am delighted to be able to announce that Adelaide United Football Club have agreed to terms with Brazilian player, Fernando Luiz Rech.

After an extensive search, which has taken us across the globe for the best possible player that would fit within our salary cap, it was decided that Fernando has all the credentials to enhance our squad. He is a former NSL Player of the Year, is familiar with Australia, has played under John (Kosmina) previously and brings a touch of Brazilian magic not only to our club, but to the Hyundai A-League. Fernando is a proven goal scorer and also has the ability to be a play maker. Where he plays is up to Kossie and Viddie to decide but they now have the luxury of that flexibility with Fernando’s addition.

He has been playing in Brazil where he captained his club Esportivo, scoring 13 goals in 15 games for them. He is fit, in form and ready to go. All of these factors swayed our decision towards Fernando. It was important to fill the spot created by Aurelio’s retirement with a very talented player who can fill the famous number 10 shirt so proudly worn by a player of Aurelio Vidmar’s stature. Fernando has been signed for a two year term with options and is looking forward to joining his new team mates early next week.

I’m sure our supporters will appreciate the time taken to make this very important decision and the benefits of signing a player of Fernando’s class will bring to the Adelaide United Football Club.

We have left no stone unturned in securing Fernando and look forward to seeing as many of our fans turn out to our next home game to support the players for what will be a great clash with the Central Coast Mariners on September 25.

Fernando is expected to arrive in Adelaide on Monday.

Michael Petrillo
CEO

$3m could unite Vieri with Adelaide
By VAL MIGLIACCIO
17mar06



CHRISTIAN Vieri, arguably one of the world's best strikers in the late 1990s, is apparently willing to play A-League soccer for Adelaide United - but there's a multi-million dollar catch.

It's believed Vieri, who'd be regarded as a marquee player, would ask for around $3 million dollars per season. The Italian international, who was raised in Sydney before making his mark at the 1998 France World Cup with five goals, has left his options open says Vieri's Sydney-based best friend Attilio Labbozzetta. The duo are business partners in "Vieri Restaurant" at Sydney's Darling Harbour.

"He'd probably think about it (United) if the money is right," Labbozzetta said.

Vieri, 32, is playing for AS Monaco after he was transferred from Italian club AC Milan in January.

He has another year of his Monaco contract to run but apparently hasn't ruled out a return to soccer in Australia. He started his junior career with Marconi.

"We've spoken about it briefly," Labbozzetta said about Vieri's A-League venture. "My guess is that he'd want around $2 million Euros for a season.

"But he was also talking about retiring after his stint with Monaco and after the World Cup."

Sydney FC's marquee superstar Dwight Yorke's fee was thought to be expensive at an estimated $900,000 per season.

But Vieri's "ball park" multi-million dollar figure would only be palatable if Australia's corporate world supported it Labbozzetta said.

Labbozetta added that Vieri is likely to be in Australia for the Christmas break.

Adelaide United coach John Kosmina, however, said that Vieri was pricing himself outside the Australian market.

"To be honest, that's a ridiculous amount of money to be asking for this league," Kosmina said.

But another Vieri, Christian's younger brother Max, has similar A-League aspirations according to Labbozetta.

Former Socceroo Max, who at least speaks with an Aussie accent, is currently on the books of Italian Serie B club Arezzo.

"He's really keen to come out here," Labbozzetta said.

"He loved it in Australia when he played in the Oceania Nations Cup in 2004."

Vieri has scored three times since his move to AS Monaco in the January transfer window and hopes some good form will book him a spot in Italian coach Marcello Lippi's World Cup squad.

Famous for once saying Allan Border was a boyhood hero, Vieri has played for Lazio, Inter and AC Milan and now As Monaco.

Yeah in his interview on the world game he certainly sounded pretty sure that he was going to live in america whether he was playing not once his career in europe ended. And at $3mil for one season? Who the hell could afford him?

Wouldn't mind seeing max come back to australia though, maybe it will be just the change he needs to become the next christian

Not gonna happen...Max is rubbish.

Still better than some of the crap forwards in some teams.

Qu's gone, he's signed for a 2nd div Chinese club. Didn't end up going back to his home club, belongs in top div!

Stan Lazaridis will to return home with Adelaide after being the next clear-out victim at Birmingham. (Daily Star)

Aloisi has made it clear he wants to return to Adelaide. Whether this season or the next, that decision will be made up after the world cup I guess. I suppose it'll depend on what is on the table for him otherwise.

However, whether or not Aloisi returns next season, my bet is that Adelaide cannot afford to pay both Aloisi and Laza. Aloisi would be a gargantuan signing and Adelaide pretty much have first dibs on him.

In my opinion they'd be silly to go with Laza. Laza is great and I'd recommend him to almost any club in the league, but to do it in place of Aloisi is beyond me.

Maybe I'm wrong and they can afford both, or maybe Aloisi would play for a pittance but somehow I doubt it.

Elsewhere, Adelaide United are firming as the likely destination for Socceroos veteran Stan Lazaridis. The Reds are also stepping up their chase of John Aloisi following the relegation of his club, Alaves, from the Spanish top flight at the weekend. Adelaide are ready to make a record offer to try and lure Aloisi back to his home town, where he would be reunited with his elder brother Ross, who captains the Reds.

well if aloisi gets offers overseas, i dont think he'll come back to the a-league..his got a good couple years left in europe imo

Well he wants to play with Ross apparantly so if he wants to he better hurry. Ross ain't got much left IMO.

Saying that he was class last season....

YES! The best partnership in the league is back together.

Add Petta, Owens and Spag and I think its been a good off-season by Kossie. We'd of loved Laza and Aloisi but plan B is good.

-------------Qu-------------
--------------Rech----------
Petta------Aloisi------Dodd
---------Costanzo----------
VD-Rees-Valkanis-Alagich
----------Beltrame---------

I am happy with that. I think Dodd is going to have an awesome season for us and I think Petta will do well. He has been on fire in training. I would of liked a new keeper personally but we'll have to make do.

Add Petta, Owens and Spag and I think its been a good off-season by Kossie. We'd of loved Laza and Aloisi but plan B is good.

What nationality is Petta??

I want QU, come on mate, come back to adelaide... please!

Give up already mate, his gone and his not coming back.

to help United clinch the inaugural Hyundai A-League Premiership.