Fresh off his official announcement, Ajak Riak has wasted little time settling into life at Adelaide United – embracing the city, the squad, and the opportunity to pull on the red shirt.
The 25-year-old South Sudan international, affectionally known in the dressing room as AJ, arrived in Adelaide earlier this week after joining the Club from Uzbekistan Super League side AGMK, and has already been struck by the welcoming environment around him.
“Adelaide’s been great so far,” Riak said. “It’s my first time properly being here, and it’s pretty cruisey. I’ve really enjoyed it.”
That relaxed, family-oriented feel has extended straight into the dressing room, with Riak describing the playing group as open and supportive from day one.
“The boys have been very welcoming,” he said. “The club is a lot like the city – very family orientated. It was easy to come in and get amongst the group. I already knew a couple of the boys from playing in Australia, so that helped.”
Standing at 1.92 metres, Riak adds a new dynamic to Adelaide United’s forward options, and he believes the Club’s style of play suits his strengths.
“I’d say I’m a versatile player,” he explained. “I can hold the ball up or run in behind – it depends on what the team needs. Adelaide has really good wingers who like to put balls into the box, so I’m excited about that.”
Riak also revealed he had long admired Adelaide United’s reputation for developing attacking players, which played a key role in his decision to join.
“I already had Adelaide in my mind as a good club for strikers,” he said. “You see how they develop young players and forwards, so when they came to me, I was very interested.”
Fans will quickly notice Riak’s unique shirt number – 99 – a choice he says reflects both opportunity and individuality.
“I’ve worn number nine before, but there weren’t many options left,” he smiled. “Ninety-nine is still a nine in a way – it’s a bit different, and I liked that.”
Now focused on building chemistry on the training pitch, Riak is especially excited by the prospect of playing at Coopers Stadium for the first time.
“The stadium is beautiful,” he said. “The environment and the crowd are amazing. You see how the fans get behind the team, and I’m really looking forward to playing in front of them.”
With his calm presence, friendly nature and hunger to make an impact, Ajak Riak’s Adelaide United journey is just beginning – and if the timing aligns, his first appearance in red could come in the Original Rivalry clash against Melbourne Victory, a stage befitting an exciting new chapter.
