Trio of SA-born free agents available to Adelaide United as new coach prepares for rebuild

A top-class trio of SA-born free agents may head the shopping list of Adelaide United’s incoming coach as the club looks to replace as many as nine players this off-season.

A top-class trio of SA-born free agents may head the shopping list of Adelaide United’s incoming coach as the club looks to replace as many as nine players this off-season.

The Reds confirmed their recruitment drive was on hold until they unveiled the successor to Marco Kurz, expected to be Dutchman Gertjan Verbeek, in the coming weeks.

But there was no shortage of scope for change under the new manager, including the opportunity to bring three experienced Croweaters home.

Socceroos defender Ryan McGowan and attacker James Troisi, as well as midfielder Bradden Inman, were without deals for next campaign after completing their club commitments.

McGowan, who spent the second-half of this season on-loan at Scottish top-flight side Dundee, was this month released by English parent club Bradford City.

The 29-year-old centre back, capped 20 times by the national team, had spent the past 13 seasons in Europe and Asia, and would be a welcome boost to the Reds’ defensive stocks.

SA-born James Troisi may be an Adelaide United target after his Melbourne Victory contract ended. Picture: Graham Denholm/Getty Images

Adelaide City product Troisi, 30, would bolster United’s goal-shy front line and was believed to be keen on an SA return, having not been re-signed by Melbourne Victory.

The 37-cap Socceroo’s campaign ended with a hamstring injury, ironically sustained against the Reds, but he would bring a creative edge to Adelaide, backed by 61 career strikes.

Inman, who joined English Premier League side Newcastle United as a teenager, might also be open to a move back to his hometown, after leaving League One Rochdale.

The Modbury Jets junior, 27, was a Gleeson College school mate of the Reds’ Craig Goodwin and Jordan Elsey, and had racked up 36 goals in 227 games in a decade in the UK.

Much would depend on United’s ownership consortium bankrolling the transfer dealings of its new mentor, who would also have the luxury of three vacant visa spots to fill.

Ryan McGowan, pictured playing for the Socceroos at Adelaide Oval in 2017, has been released by his English club Bradford City. Picture: Mark Brake

But arrivals remained on hold, as the outgoing Kurz officially ended his ties with the club on Saturday.

“Player recruitment will formally commence once the club finalises coaching appointments for the 2019/20 season,” a Reds spokesman said in a statement.

“This process is well underway and we expect to make further announcements shortly.

“With the core of this season’s squad contracted for 2019/20, further additions to the playing group will only to strengthen the team.”

United had lost six players, including mid-season departure Taylor Regan, ahead of next campaign.

Off-contract Senegalese striker Baba Diawara and on-loan Dutch front man Jordy Thomassen exited last week, as did defender Scott Galloway, who moved to Melbourne City.

Modbury Jets product Bradden Inman, pictured with former club Crewe Alexandra, is a free agent having left Rochdale. Picture: Paul Thomas/Getty Images

Dane Ken Ilso, provisionally suspended as an ASADA investigation into his alleged doping violation continued, had left the country and would not be offered a new deal.

Apostolos Stamatelopoulos’ shift to start-up franchise Western United was announced in March, while a cashed-up Qatari club was tracking inspirational captain Isaias.

Midfielder Lachlan Brook was expected to re-sign, but out-of-contract veteran Vince Lia was locked in discussions about remaining at the Reds.

Youngster Kristin Konstandopoulos would spend the winter with Adelaide’s youth team in the National Premier Leagues SA as he bid to regain a first-team squad berth for next summer.