The 2024/25 A-League Men’s season is finally here!
After a four-month off-season and an extra week with the bye, Adelaide United’s 24/25 campaign is finally underway as we kick things off at our fortress, Cooper’s Stadium this Saturday.
How we start
Our season begins a week later than our counterparts as we host 2023/24 Treble Winners, Central Coast Mariners on the freshly laid turf of the newly renovated, Cooper’s Stadium.
DON’T MISS OUR OPENER AGAINST CENTRAL COAST MARINERS! Click here to get your tickets!
Buoyed off our Australia Cup Quarter-Final victory against the Red and Black, we then venture across the New South Wales a week later to face Western Sydney Wanderers at CommBank Stadium.
A blockbuster Saturday night under lights sees us face Western United on home soil before the first international break of the season and Unite Round.
Pre-Season Friendlies
- 12 October: Adelaide United 1-0 Melbourne City
- Goal: Stefan Mauk
- 5 October: Adelaide United 1-1 Brisbane Roar
- Goal: Ryan Kitto
- 27 September: RAANPLSA All-Stars 0-5 Adelaide United
- Goals: Ryan White, Zach Clough, Austin Ayoubi, Josh Cavallo, Joey Garuccio
- 14 August: Adelaide Croatia Raiders 1-3 Adelaide United
- Goals: Luka Jovanović, Austin Ayoubi, Josh Cavallo
- 7 August: West Adelaide 0-8 Adelaide United
- Austin Ayoubi (4), Godwin Bentil (2), Jonny Yull, Josh Cavallo
- 23 July: Cumberland United 1-8 Adelaide United
- Goals: Archie Goodwin (3), Panashe Madanha (2), Zach Clough (2), Luka Jovanović
- 16 July: Adelaide Blue Eagles 0-6 Adelaide United
- Stefan Mauk (2), Archie Goodwin, Dylan Pierias, Luka Jovanović, Austin Ayoubi
- 9 July: Cove FC 0-9 Adelaide United
- Goals: Luka Jovanović (2), Dylan Pierias, Ryan Kitto, Austin Ayoubi, Archie Goodwin, Yaya Dukuly (2), Ryan White
We finished our 8-game pre-season undefeated against both local and A-League opposition. The A-League Men’s coaching staff made it their top priority to maximise the number of competitive matches played to ensure the team are ready and raring to go for the upcoming season. An impressive Australia Cup run and positive results in the pre-season friendlies highlighted many routes to goal for the Reds across the park and five out of eight clean sheets underscores the strength of our backline and James Delianov and Ethan Cox between the sticks.
Our Squad
There are plenty of returning veterans to the Reds as well as some exciting new international additions and youth talents rising through the ranks.
Here are your Cooper’s Stadium superstars for this season:
GOALKEEPERS: 1. James DELIANOV, 13. Max VARTULI, 40. Ethan COX.
DEFENDERS: 3. Bart VRIENDS, 4. Jordan ELSEY, 7. Ryan KITTO, 21. Javi LÓPEZ, 36. Panashe MADANHA, 51. Panagiotis KIKIANIS, 52. Bailey O’NEIL, 78. Malual NICHOLA, 79. Feyzo KASUMOVIĆ.
MIDFIELDERS: 6. Stefan MAUK, 8. ISAÍAS, 12. Jonny YULL, 14. Jay BARNETT, 22. Ryan TUNNICLIFFE, 23. Luke DUZEL, 27. Josh CAVALLO, 44. Ryan WHITE, 55. Ethan ALAGICH, 62. Fabian TALLADIRA.
FORWARDS: Luka JOVANOVIĆ, 10. Zach CLOUGH, 17. Ben FOLAMI, 19. Yaya DUKULY, 20. Dylan PIERIAS, 26. Archie GOODWIN, 42. Austin AYOUBI, 74. Amlani TATU
Embodying everything South Australia
Our 2024/25 UCan Kits have dropped over the course of the last few months and what a statement they have made.
The striking new home kit pays homage to Adelaide’s iconic title as the ‘City of Churches’. The ‘Steeped in Tradition’ design resonates deeply with South Australia’s heritage and the Club’s loyal fanbase.
This season’s away kit is ‘The Perfect Blend’ of South Australian excellence. The cream and maroon shirt draws from inspiration from the region’s world-renowned wine industry, blending the richness of red and white wines with the dynamic spirit of our football club.
New Faces
Bart Vriends, Archie Goodwin, Ben Folami, Max Vartuli, and Dylan Pierias headline the new signings to showcase their skills at Cooper’s Stadium this season.
Dutch defender and Eredivisie legend, Bart Vriends signed on for a two-year deal with the Reds in July. The 33-year-old joins on a free transfer from his Eredivisie club of eight years, Sparta Rotterdam after amassing 192 appearances, 11 goals, and the club captaincy.
Our forward line has been bolstered by the addition of young Australian centre-forward, Archie Goodwin on a four-year deal from A-League side, Newcastle Jets. Goodwin has made headlines as the Newcastle Jets’ youngest player to debut at just 16 years and 106 days as well as starring for the Young Socceroos.
Folami, a dynamic winger and forward, arrives at Coopers Stadium after making 108 appearances for Melbourne Victory. The Socceroo’s versatility and attacking prowess have been key attributes throughout his career, which also includes a stint in England with Ipswich Town, where he made seven appearances between 2017 and 2021.
Max Vartuli joins on a three-year contract from Sydney FC after being highlighted as one of Australia’s most promising young goalkeepers at just 19-years of age. Having previously honed his skills in the youth ranks at Sydney FC, Vartuli has steadily built a reputation as a potential future star in Australian football. Max also spent a yearlong loan move in Denmark with Aalborg BK last season, and was part of the team that was promoted to the Superliga.
Former Olyroo, Dylan Pierias caps off the new additions, with the versatile 24-year-old signing for three-years from the Western Sydney Wanderers. The Olympian and Isuzu UTE A-League Champion provides flexibility to our front line as well as at the back if needed.
Returning Reds
Club legend, Jordan Elsey returns to the Reds on a one-year deal. The centre-back played an integral role in United’s 2015/16 Premiership and Championship-winning side, as well as lifting FFA Cup trophy twice in 2018 and 2019.
The Alagich legacy continues at Adelaide United with Ethan Alagich securing a five-year deal. The 20-year-old midfield engine and son of former Adelaide United legend, Richie Alagich’s contract extension sees him remain with his hometown Club until the end of the 2028/29 season.
Reds’ veterans, Isaías and Javi López, commit to one final year to take them both to the end of their playing careers with the Reds. The pair are also part of the 2024/25 senior leadership group to impart their experience and knowledge on the younger members of the squad.
Exciting young defender, Panagiotis “Pana” Kikianis also secured a five-year contract extension after making his debut for the Reds last season and nabbing his first A-League goal. Kikianis is one of the most exciting defensive prospects in Australia and will be an asset for the Reds backline.
Future Stars
Feyzo Kasumović, Malual Nichola, and Amlani Tatu have all signed three-year deals with the Club, securing their talents until the end of the 2026/27 campaign. The three promising young players, who have been nurtured through the Football SA NTC program and represented South Australia at the U15 National Youth Championships.
We have also secured the services of 19-year-old South Australian talent, Ryan white on a five-year contract. Having grown within the South Australian footballing system, both in the Football SA NTC Program, Para Hills Knights, and Adelaide United’s youth setup, Ryan White has already made his Club debut for the Reds during the Australia Cup Round of 32 Clash against Blacktown City FC.
Become a Member!
It’s not too late to become a member! With our campaign kicking-off tomorrow, there’s no better time to sign up, secure your seat, and make Cooper’s Stadium the best atmosphere in the League again!
