"Spark of magic"

Adriano Pellegrino

Phnom Penh Crown head coach Sam Schweingruber gave his thoughts on the addition to his squad for the 2nd Round of the Metfone C-League campaign, of the vastly experienced Australian midfield playmaker Adriano Pellegrino. "We were in touch with Adriano a long time ago. We almost signed him at the beginning of the season for a loan period, but decided against it as we didn't know how long he'd be with us. Looking back, we should've signed him, it was a mistake. He came to train with us on several occasions, so we knew what he's capable of, his experience and the potential he still has. He's just 29 and he's played at the top level, he's very motivated and excited to be joining our project this year. He's 100% committed to giving his best for the benefit of the team. He's played at different levels in Australia, was a regular at Perth Glory, though not 100% a regular at Central Coast Mariners, sometimes in, sometimes out, but he played in the AFC Champions League in Japan and China, and has represented Australia at U-20 level. That's a real quality football pedigree. A player of his experience, he also played in Greece and has worked with some amazing coaches, played against top teams as well as playing many different positions, so he can fit different roles on the pitch. He brings leadership, organisation, professionalism, helps others, guides and directs - which we've been extremely weak at up until now. He reads the game really well, makes quick decisions, sees the runs, good with dead balls as we've seen, has a good shot, can dribble, can hold the ball and take people on. He can be that influential player, provide that spark of magic, which is ideal support for our team and just what we need right now."

Adriano will be thirty in June. Adelaide-born, he played his early football with Adelaide City, Adelaide United, Western Strikers and North Eastern Metrostars, as well as a stint in Greece with Panachaiki. In 2008 he joined A-League team Perth Glory for four seasons, before moving to Central Coast Mariners, also in the Australian top flight, where he took his A-League appearances total to just under the 100 mark and played in last season's AFC Champions League. He also appeared for the Central Coast Mariner's Academy team last term. Adriano played a single game for AEU earlier this year on his way to join Kedah in the Malaysian League, but that deal fell through and he's returned to Cambodia to join forces with Crown. He was also capped four times with the Australian U-20 national team.