Hunt for overseas recruits steps up as Adelaide United captain Isaias completes citizenship

Adelaide United has confirmed it has stepped up its hunt for international recruits in the wake of captain Isaias becoming an Australian citizen and freeing up a visa spot in the Reds squad.

Adelaide United captain Isaias’ Australian citizenship has opened up a visa spot in the Reds’ squad. Picture: AAP Image/James Elsby

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Adelaide United has stepped up its hunt for international recruits in the wake of captain Isaias becoming an Australian citizen.

The Reds’ Spanish-born skipper completed his naturalisation ceremony at Hindmarsh Stadium on Tuesday, six years after arriving at the club.

Isaias’ new-found status freed up one of Adelaide’s five previously-filled visa spots, opening the door for an overseas signing to bolster its A-League finals pursuit.

A United spokesman said the Reds hoped to do business in the January FIFA transfer window and paid tribute to their inspirational leader.

“Isaias’ citizenship opens up a foreign-player spot on our books and we are proactively looking at all potential options as a result,” the spokesman said.

“Isaias has been one of the club’s greatest-ever players and has achieved many things while he has been in this country, both on and off the field.”

United also confirmed striker Baba Diawara had been placed on the long-term injury list, due to the knee issue which had limited him to just 23 minutes of league action this campaign.

But the spokesman said signing an injury-replacement for the Senegalese hitman was challenging, given the length of time he was expected to be sidelined was not yet determined.

Adelaide’s need for new attacking options was again evident on Saturday.

It had 32 shots against 10-man Wellington Phoenix, but was forced to settle for a 0-0 draw.

Only three sides had scored less than the fifth-placed Reds’ 14 goals this season, a tally 10 strikes behind Wednesday night’s opponent Melbourne Victory.

Kevin Muscat’s side arrived in SA on the back of a nine-match unbeaten run and sat three points behind competition-leader Perth Glory.

Isaias said the Reds’ would not fear their traditional rival, despite the hot form of seven-goal Swedish forward Ola Toivonen and playmakers James Troisi and Terry Antonis (four assists each).

“We know they have very high quality upfront and they have experienced players,” said Isaias, who had led Adelaide to just one win from seven home games this season.

Senegalese striker Baba Diawara has been limited to 23 minutes of A-League action for Adelaide United this season. Picture: AAP/Mark Brake

“But we believe in our system, we believe in our players and I think our group is stronger than them.

“The goals are not arriving yet (for United), but I really believe in the quality of our strikers and our wingers.

“We are playing good football and I hope that results will arrive soon.”

Veteran midfielder Vince Lia would miss the clash with his former club due to suspension after picking up his fifth booking of the summer against the Phoenix.

German import Mirko Boland was still out with the hamstring issue he sustained in November, while teenage striker Apostolos Stamatelopoulos (quad) was also omitted.

The visitors would be without Japanese playmaker Keisuke Honda, who was still troubled by his ongoing hamstring problem.

Centre backs Georg Niedermeier (calf) and Nick Ansell (hamstring) were also left out.