James Troisi’s signing is the fourth new recruit over the off-season for Adelaide United after the talented midfielder agreed to a two-year contract.
Troisi boasts an impressive footballing pedigree with his career taking him across Europe and Asia, and representing some big clubs along the way.
He is also an accomplished international, scoring five goals in 37 caps for the Socceroos.
The 31-year-old’s capture gives Head Coach, Gertjan Verbeek, another attacking option with his creativity, versatility, and technical prowess some of his best traits.
Born in Adelaide in 1988, Troisi moved to English Premier League outfit Newcastle United in 2005, joining the Magpies’ youth academy before subsequently penning a professional contract in early 2007.
His move to Europe also coincided with his first senior cap with Australia which occurred against Singapore in 2008.
However, after 18 months, Troisi swapped Tyneside for the Turkish Süper Lig where he would spend the next four years. For the 2008/09 campaign, the then 20-year-old plied his trade at Gençlerbirliği SK before signing with Kayserispor and remaining there until 2012. In his time in Turkey, Troisi scored a total of 16 goals and made eight assists in 94 appearances.
Italian giants Juventus secured, the midfielder’s services in 2012 on a free transfer, but swiftly moved to fellow Serie A outfit, Atalanta, in a co-ownership deal worth a reported €2M. With La Dea, he played eight games across Serie A and Coppa Italia, sharing the field with the likes of Giacomo Bonaventura – now at AC Milan – and former Argentina striker, Germán Denis.
https://players.brightcove.net/5498268479001/default_default/index.html?videoId=6092467255001
In search of more consistent playing time, Troisi returned to Australia and enjoyed a productive 2013/14 season on loan at Melbourne Victory. Troisi flourished at Victory playing under Kevin Muscat, netting 15 goals in 35 games in all competitions.
His form earned him a ticket to Brazil for the 2014 World Cup and made two substitute appearances against Chile and Spain.
The ex-Newcastle man returned to Europe and was loaned to Belgian side Zulte Waregem from Juventus after they secured his rights for €1M.
Six months later, Troisi was also included in the 2015 Asian Cup squad which was hosted in Australia.
He scored the final goal in a comprehensive 4-1 win over Kuwait in the opening match of the tournament, before bagging the extra-time winner in the final to defeat Korea Republic 2-1 and become champions of Asia.
After brief spells in Saudi Arabia and China, Troisi returned to Victory ahead of the Hyundai A-League 2016/17 season and would spend the next three years in Victoria. In his first season back with the club, he scored a total of seven goals in 28 matches and was included in the squad bound for the 2017 FIFA Confederations Cup. He featured in all three group games and was on target against Chile.
Troisi helped Victory clinch the Hyundai A-League Championship for the 2017/18 campaign, before ending his final year in Melbourne with five goals and eight assists.
