The new season is about to kickoff and a group of players look set to take it by storm
With the A-League finally set to begin, several stars look ready to make their mark on the competition.
Despite suggestions the league is lacking entertainment, these five players can be backed to get supporters excited this season.
Goal takes a look at the superstar quintet…
Getty Images1Alessandro Diamanti (Western United)
The Italian playmaker was only denied a previous move to Melbourne Victory in 2016 after the FFA deemed him not worthy of their marquee money.
Ironically, Diamanti is now the captain and face of new Melbourne-based franchise Western United.
The 36-year-old will be a delight to watch as he terrorises midfields and defences with his movement and passing.
Expect to see the likes of Besart Berisha and Scott McDonald on the end of some Diamanti magic this season.
AdvertisementPerth Glory2Bruno Fornaroli (Perth Glory)
It's been nearly a full year since Fornaroli has played in the A-League, after being frozen out by his Melbourne City coach Warren Joyce.
The 32-year-old was lethal in front of goal during his first two campaigns at City, scoring 24 goals (2015-16) and 17 (2016-17) before an ankle fracture wiped out his 2017-18 season.
Now at Premiers Perth Glory, under master coach Tony Popovic, Fornaroli will be the number one striker after Andy Keogh packed his bags for the Middle East.
The prospect of Diego Castro, Neil Kilkenny and Chris Ikonomidis feeding balls to the clinical Uruguayan striker is something to look forward to.
Getty Images3Alexander Meier (Western Sydney Wanderers)
Out of the blue and into the red and black. It was a surprise when legendary German striker Meier was unveiled as the new Wanderers centre forward.
German coach Markus Babbel made use of his connections to bring the 36-year-old Down Under as one of the A-League's highest profile recruits.
Meier was the Bundesliga's top scorer in 2014-15 with 19 goals for Eintracht Frankfurt and reached double figures for strikes in two further seasons.
The 196cm striker will be a nightmare for A-League defenders to handle and if the Wanderers can provide good service, expect him to be one of the stars of the competition.
Getty4Andrew Nabbout (Melbourne Victory)
After a season abroad in Japan, Nabbout has returned to Melbourne Victory – the place where his A-League began in 2013.
Before he left for Urawa Reds, the 26-year-old established himself as one of the stars of the A-League with the Newcastle Jets, scoring 18 goals in 46 matches for the Hunter Valley club.
Nabbout also led the line for the Socceroos at the 2014 World Cup, starting the first two matches before dislocating his shoulder and missing the final group game.
His pre-season at Melbourne Victory has been flawless with regular goals and linking up menacingly with captain Ola Toivonen.
Nabbout looks to be entering this prime of his career and there is a good chance they won't be missing Kosta Barbarouses too much.