The 2025/26 A-League Men’s Season is here and we’re kicking things off at Coopers Stadium this Friday night.
How we start
Our season begins against our Sky Blue foe at Coopers Stadium, where we debut our newly renovated walk out tunnel for the first time.
DON’T MISS OUR OPENER AGAINST SYDNEY FC! Click here to get your tickets!
We then hit the road for two huge clashes that see us take on Macarthur FC in Round Two and last season’s Premiers, Auckland FC at Go Media Stadium in Round Three. We’re back at Coopers Stadium for Round 4 against Western Sydney Wanderers to lead us into the International Break.
Pre-Season Friendlies
- 4 October: Melbourne Victory 0-3 Adelaide United
- 27 September: MetroStars 2-6 Adelaide United
- Goals: Austin Ayoubi (2), Dylan Pierias, Yaya Dukuly, Amlani Tatu, Anselmo
- 20 September: RAANPLSA All-Stars 2-2 (3-5 penalties) Adelaide United
- Goals: Craig Goodwin, Brody Burkitt
- 5 September: Melbourne Victory 1-2 Adelaide United
- Goals: Bart Vriends, Craig Goodwin.
- 2 September: Melbourne City 1-1 Adelaide United
- Goal: Luka Jovanović
- 5 August: West Adelaide 0-9 Adelaide United
- Goals: Luka Jovanović (2), Yaya Dukuly (2), Jonny Yull, Jay Barnett, Julian Kwaaitaal, Ryan White, and Dylan Pierias.
- 22 July: Adelaide Blue Eagles 1-6 Adelaide United
- Goals: Luka Jovanović, Ryan White, Austin Ayoubi, Vinko Stanisic, Amlani Tatu and Julian Kwaaitaal.
- 15 July: Playford Patriots 1-7 Adelaide United
- Goals: Luka Jovanović (3), Yaya Dukuly, Amlani Tatu, Brody Burkitt and Vinko Stanisic.
- 11 July: Cove FC 0-5 Adelaide United
- Goals: Luka Jovanović (3), Yaya Dukuly, Amlani Tatu, Brody Burkitt and Vinko Stanisic.
Our Squad
Our South Australian talent are joined by a full outfit of international signings to push for the 2025/26 Isuzu UTE A-League Championship.
Here are your Coopers Stadium superstars for this season:
GOALKEEPERS: 13. Max VARTULI, 22. Joshua SMITS, 40. Ethan COX.
DEFENDERS: 3. Bart VRIENDS, 4. Panagiotis KIKIANIS, 7. Ryan KITTO, 15. Israel MBULA-MONGA, 36. Panashe MADANHA , 52. Sotiri PHILLIS, 54. Bailey O’NEIL, 71. Vinko STANISIC, 78. Malual NICHOLA, 79. Feyzo KASUMOVIĆ.
MIDFIELDERS: 10. Juan MUÑIZ, 12. Jonny YULL, 14. Jay BARNETT, 23. Luke DUZEL, 44. Ryan WHITE, 55. Ethan ALAGICH, 62. Fabian TALLADIRA, 65. Joey GARUCCIO, 87. Anselmo de MORAES.
ATTACKERS: 9. Luka JOVANOVIĆ, 11. Craig GOODWIN, 17. Ben FOLAMI, 18. Jake NAJDOVSKI, 19. Yaya DUKULY, 20. Dylan PIERIAS, 42. Austin AYOUBI, 43. Julian KWAAITAAL, 58. Harry CRAWFORD, 74. Amlani TATU
New Coaching Era
Airton Andrioli has been appointed as the Club’s new Men’s Head Coach on a two-year deal, with the option of a third. A highly respected figure in South Australian football, Andrioli steps into the role after serving as Adelaide United’s Head of Youth Football since 2020, while also working as one of the assistant coaches in the men’s program during that period.
Adrian Stenta steps in as Assistant Coach to Airton Andrioli. This appointment marks the next step in Stenta’s coaching journey after a transformative seven-year tenure in the Club’s Ninja A-League Women’s program, which he leaves in its strongest position to date.
Club icon Isaías Sánchez caps off Airton Andrioli’s coaching staff with his appointment as assistant coach, marking the beginning of his coaching career following his recent retirement from professional football.
A Tribute to South Australia
Our 2025/26 UCAN Home Kit has dropped with our usual iconic South Australian flair.
The kit draws bold inspiration from the theatrical heart of South Australia. The design is a tribute to the city’s culture, heritage, and passion for entertainment and football.
New Faces
Joshua Smits, Anselmo de Moraes and Juan Muñiz headline our new international signings, Julian Kwaaitaal returns from his loan stint, whilst Jake Najdovski and Izzy Monga join us from Western United.
We’ve secured the services of Dutch shot-stopper Joshua Smits on a two-year deal. The 32-year-old, born in Nijmegen, Netherlands, joins the Reds’ goalkeepers union and will play a key mentoring role for promising youngsters Max Vartuli and Ethan Cox.
Spanish attacking midfielder Juan Muñiz Gallego joins on a three-year contract ahead of the 2025/26 Isuzu UTE A-League season. The 33-year-old brings a wealth of international pedigree to the Reds, having played across Spain, Greece, and Malaysia, while winning multiple trophies with Johor Darul Ta’zim F.C. (JDT) in recent seasons.
Brazilian midfielder Anselmo de Moraes joins on a two-year contract and brings a wealth of international experience, having played in Brazil, Italy, Saudi Arabia and Malaysia. His time at Al-Wehda – where he shared the pitch with our own Craig Goodwin – highlighted his leadership, technical quality and winning mentality.
Two promising young talents in striker Jake Najdovski and versatile defender Israel “Izzy” Monga have committed their long-term futures to the Club. Australian-born striker Jake Najdovski, 20, joins the Reds on a three-year contract. Having already featured in nine matches during the 2024/25 Isuzu UTE A-League season with Western United, Najdovski brings with him valuable top-flight experience alongside significant potential for growth. At just 17, Monga joins Adelaide United on a three-year scholarship contract. A product of the Goulburn Valley Suns in Northern Victoria, Monga made 17 senior appearances in VPL 2 and also represented NSW Country at the 2023 National Youth Championships.
Julian Kwaaitaal has returned to the Club following the completion of his loan spell with FC Eindhoven. Kwaaitaal was initially signed by the Reds at age 19 in August 2024 on a three-year deal with an option of a fourth and was immediately loaned to the Dutch second division side. The attacking right winger made 22 appearances for the Blauw-Witten across their 2024/25 League and Cup campaigns.
Returning Red
We welcomed home club legend, Craig Goodwin, who has signed a three-year contract with the Reds. Goodwin also takes the Captain’s armband for the season, heading the leadership group appointed to guide the team this season. The 33-year-old remains Adelaide United’s all-time leading goal scorer, with 60 goals from 168 appearances across all competitions. He also holds the title of all-time leading A-League goalscorer for the Club, with 53 league goals to his name.
Future Stars
Three of our most promising young talents – Joey Garuccio, Sotirios Phillis, and Vinko Stanisic – have signed their first professional contracts with the Club.
Garuccio (19), Phillis (18), and Stanisic (18) have all progressed through their junior Clubs, Football SA talent identification and development system and have been rewarded for their consistent work ethic, strong performances, and dedication.
Become a Member!
It’s not too late to become a member! With our campaign kicking-off this Friday night, there’s no better time to sign up, secure your seat, and make Cooper’s Stadium the best atmosphere in the League again!
