Dean Bouzanis is relishing a reunion of tough love under Michael Valkanis, who the goalkeeper thinks can propel the Brisbane Roar back to the A-League big-time.
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See subscription optionsThe 34-year-old shot-stopper is among the new coach's growing list of recruits, brought back from a five-year spell in England on a one-year deal with a further one-year option.
Bouzanis was labelled the best 'keeper in the world for his age by coach Rafael Benitez when signed in 2007 as a 16-year-old to Liverpool.
He left chasing first-team opportunities and ironically knocked Liverpool out of the FA Cup with Oldham Athletic a year later.
The Sydney product spent more than a decade plying his trade in the English lower leagues, Greece and the Netherlands.
In between he worked with Valkanis at Melbourne City, winning the 2016 FFA Cup before the mentor was sent packing as he too carved out a storied resume that included stints with Ajax and the Greek national team.
Bouzanis, while on loan from Reading, barely played at Stevenage and then was unused by Charlton before taking a call from his old mate.
"He said, 'Look, I'm taking over at Brisbane, want to build a squad, I need some experienced players to come back'," Bouzanis told AAP.
"Mickey has his beliefs; he gets everybody on the same page with a professional mindset, no shortcuts, demands high standards.
"It's an attacking style of play, it's enjoyable to be around."
The Roar won three titles between 2011-14 but have barely figured in calculations since, cycling through four coaches last season alone and narrowly avoiding the wooden spoon while averaging crowds of less than 6,000 to Suncorp Stadium.
"Back in the day, seeing the A-League how it was, the Roar was always a big club," Bouzanis said.
"Who knows where we could go and what could be again.
"We're striving ... we don't want to come in and just be slightly better.
"We want Roar to be right up there, fighting for titles and one of the best clubs."
They get a chance to make their first proper impression on fans against premiers Auckland on Sunday, at Brisbane City FC's inner-city Imperial Corp Stadium.
Bouzanis will take over as Brisbane's first-choice goalkeeper from Matt Acton, who wasn't offered a new deal by the club despite a strong finish to last season.
He's keen to convince loyal fans their ambition is not just talk, starting on Sunday.
"We'll see where we're at, I'm looking forward to it," he said.
"I'm proud of the career I've had and I'm bringing a lot of experience.
"One of my strengths is playing out and using my feet, so to be an integral part of the build up is something I enjoy doing."
Australian Associated Press
