Curacao international Michael Maria unveiled as Adelaide United’s second off-season recruit
Adelaide United recruit Michael Maria is ready to renew ties with coach Gertjan Verbeek. And the Curacao international can already see the Dutch manager’s mark on the new-look Reds.
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It took Michael Maria just 90 minutes to see the mark Gertjan Verbeek has already made on Adelaide United.
Given the Curacao international credited the Dutch coach with moulding him as a player, the early shift in playing style was warmly welcomed by the latest Reds recruit.
“I was amazed by the speed that the players are playing with, the tempo,” said Maria, who watched United’s first pre-season friendly on Tuesday night after arriving earlier that day.
“I could see a lot of stuff that the coach already taught me before, in a such a short amount of time.
“It’s really exciting to play again under him. He’s developed me as the player I am now.
“Of course I’ve had some other coaches during the days I wasn’t with him.
“But most of the things I’ve been doing until now (in his career) is what he has taught me in the beginning.”
Maria was presented as a Reds player at the club’s training ground on Thursday, 48 hours on from witnessing United’s maiden hitout under Verbeek against NPL SA side MetroStars.
It came three years after Verbeek handed the attacking left back his professional debut, during the duo’s time together at German second-tier outfit VfL Bochum.
Maria penned a two-season deal having joined from US side Charlotte Independence and became the second recruit Adelaide had paid an undisclosed transfer fee for this winter.
The Dutch-born talent was eager to renew his bond with Verbeek, who also signed him for Eredivisie club FC Twente last January.
“My strengths are being really an attacking player,” Maria, 24, said.
“I possess the techniques to play one-against-one and to be creative.
“Exactly the way he (Verbeek) wants to play – attacking, keep the ball and be opportunistic.
“To be a better person every day and also to be a better player every day and to win as many games as possible at Adelaide (were his goals).”
The speedster knew little about the A-League, but was given a glowing endorsement from national teammate and ex-Wellington Phoenix attacker Roly Bonevacia.
He arrived match-fit, having featured in every game of Curacao’s CONCACAF Gold Cup campaign last month, before its exit at the hands of host nation the US.
Maria hoped to continue to representing the Caribbean country in Nations League fixtures and World Cup qualifiers, despite the A-League not pausing for international breaks this campaign.
“It (the Gold Cup) was a really big experience and a big stage to play on,” the 20-cap international said.
“We played a lot better than everyone expected against the United States.
“I think we’ve put Curacao on the map now.”
Reds director of football Bruce Djite said Maria’s age meant he would adjust to the physical demands and the heavy travel schedule associated with the A-League.
He said the adaptability of the PSV Eindhoven youth product, who also played as a defensive midfielder and left winger, as well as his ties with Verbeek made him a valuable addition.
“Michael’s is a name he (Verbeek) brought up relatively quickly,” Djite said.
“Gertjan has coached him before, mentored him before and Michael is very keen to play under him again because the way that he likes to play his football.
“Versatile players in a salary-capped league for me are very important, especially when they’re of Michael’s quality.”
Djite said the club was still looking to add a further three-five recruits on the back of the departures of star winger Craig Goodwin and captain Isaias.
He said a striker and a centre back were next on the shopping list.