Gold Coast United will tomorrow unveil former Juventus goalkeeper Jess Vanstrattan as the A-League expansion club's first signing.
Coast coach Miron Bleiberg and billionaire club owner Clive Palmer will reveal the signing amid a series of announcements at their Skilled Park headquarters.
A free agent since he was released by superclub Juventus in June, Vanstrattan is keen to make his name again in Australia after seven incredibly frustrating years in Italy.
The Gosford-born stopper seemed set for a huge senior career after a starring turn for the Australian Joeys at the 1999 under-17 World Cup when they lost the final to Brazil in a penalty shoot-out.
He also played regularly for the Young Socceroos with long-time coach Ange Postecoglou rating him extremely highly.
Vanstrattan enjoyed a season with the Northern Spirit in the old NSL before signing with Verona but in all his time in Italy -- which also included loan stints with Carrarese, Ancona and Juve -- he made only 10 senior appearances.
The 26-year-old started his first and only game for Juventus in their friendly against Melbourne Victory at the Telstra Dome in May, where he let in one goal -- a Carlos Hernandez special -- in their 4-1 win.
His signing with the Coast is his second attempt to play in the A-League after his signing with the Newcastle Jets was blocked by Verona in 2006.
Bleiberg will also announce Vanstrattan's goalkeeping back-up and the fledgling club's goalkeeping coach tomorrow, more than 10 months before their A-League debut in a 10-team competition.
Iron ore baron Palmer, Queensland's richest man who has large business interests in China, is set to reveal an initiative of his own after arriving at the team's home ground via helicopter.