Argentine playmaker Marcos Flores signs for Adelaide City eight years after leaving Adelaide United

Former Adelaide United playmaker Marcos Flores has signed for National Premier Leagues SA powerhouse Adelaide City, eight years after leaving the Reds.

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ADELAIDE City has emerged from one of the most tumultuous periods in its proud history to sign Argentine playmaker Marcos Flores and sound warning of its title ambitions.

Former Adelaide United star Flores inked a two-year contract with the Black and Whites on Thursday ahead of next month’s National Premier Leagues SA season kick-off.

Argentine playmaker Marcos Flores has signed for National Premier Leagues SA club Adelaide City. Picture: Frankie Bria

The prized recruit arrived after City was last month fined $10,000 and deducted six competition points for this campaign, due to three breaches of player registration regulations.

Flores, who last played for Indonesian side Bali United in 2017, was believed to have been on the Oakden outfit’s radar for the past year as he considered a return to SA.

He was undeterred by the punishments handed down to the club by Football Federation SA’s independent disciplinary committee.

The sanctions also included 18-point penalties for the 2017 and 2018 campaigns, as well as the repayment of $32,500 in prizemoney.

City chairman Tony Costa said landing Flores demonstrated the three-time National Soccer League champion’s commitment to ending its nine-year league title drought.

Marcos Flores scoring for Adelaide United against Newcastle Jets in 2010.

“Marcos is a champion on the field and has been a champion all across the globe and we are ecstatic that he has decided to accept our offer to return to Australia,” Costa said.

“We are pleased to welcome Marcos and he will no doubt have an immediate impact on the profile of South Australian football.”

Flores had regularly been linked with a move back to Adelaide, where he played 38 A-League and Asian Champions League games, and scored nine goals, for the Reds from 2010-11.

FFSA chief executive Michael Carter said the state governing body and Football Federation Australia had supported City’s approach for the 2011 Johnny Warren Medallist.

While all clubs were required to lodge professional player contracts prior to registration as per FFA regulations, Carter said Flores’ contract had not yet been submitted to FFSA.

Carter welcomed Flores’ arrival, along with those of ex-Adelaide United gun Marcelo Carrusca to West Adelaide and former La Liga defender Jon Aurtenetxe to Adelaide Comets.

“Marcos Flores was a favourite player at Adelaide United and captured the imagination of the South Australian football community,” Carter said.

“Having Flores play in the local NPL competition will be of great benefit and interest for the competition.”

Union Santa Fe and Newell’s Old Boys product Flores put his playing career on hold last year after returning to Buenos Aires following the death of his father.

The 33-year-old, who previously appeared for Melbourne Victory, Central Coast and Newcastle, had spent the past 12 months coaching disadvantaged children across the globe.

Flores was looking forward to spearheading City’s push for honours while working in the club’s youth development program.

“I am really excited to be playing football in Australia again,” said Flores, who had also enjoyed playing stints in China, Chile, Indonesia and the US.

“I am committed to give my very best for the club on and off the field and lead by example.”