Brazilian superstar Romario will play a four-match guest stint with Adelaide United, in a coup for Australia’s A-League.

The 40-year-old former World Player of the Year, the second-highest goal-scorer of all time, will make his Australian debut away against Central Coast Mariners on November 25, a club statement said.

Romario has scored 977 career goals and is looking to hit 1,000, a mark which has only been achieved by Brazilian great Pele.

He comes to Adelaide after playing with United States League club Miami FC this year.

Romario scored 55 goals in 74 internationals for Brazil, won three championships with Dutch team PSV Eindhoven and another title with Spanish giants FC Barcelona.

As part of the agreement, Romario will also be involved in a game between Adelaide United and Miami FC in Adelaide on October 17 with Miami FC also taking on South Australia two days later.

Romario’s other matches with Adelaide United will be against Melbourne Victory on December 1, New Zealand Knights on December 10 and Newcastle Jets on December 15, all at the club’s Hindmarsh Stadium.

Adelaide United coach and former Arsenal striker John Kosmina said Romario’s age was not a concern.

“He’s got an art you can’t coach, you’re born with it,” Kosmina said in Adelaide.

“The skill and grace he’s got doesn’t dissipate with time while he’s still practising. He’s never been renowned for his work rate but his work rate is around the edge of the box and that’s all that counts.

“He’s won World Cups, he’s played for some of the best clubs in the world. There will be a long term benefit in this for everybody and that’s the important aspect of the deal.”

Romario’s guest stint follows Sydney FC’s announcement this week that it has contracted Italian Benito Carbone to a four-match deal, commencing on Monday against Adelaide United.

Source:Soccer News