Adelaide United have made their second signing of the off-season by capturing former Red and three-time Caltex Socceroo Craig Goodwin on a three-year contract.
Goodwin returns to South Australia pursuing more regular first-team action under Marco Kurz after two seasons in the Eredivisie ended with Sparta Rotterdam's relegation.
He had originally departed for the Netherlands following a stellar season in Adelaide's double-winning campaign in 2015/16, which earned him the club's Player of the Year accolade.
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The former Newcastle Jets winger will be remembered at Sparta for his crucial role in preserving their top-flight status in the 2016/17 season, culminating in a thrilling final day win over Go Ahead Eagles in which he scored one and set up two.
But the fringe Australia international struggled for playing time in the 2017/18 season, making just 13 starts for Dick Advocaat's side, and concluded his European venture after both club and player reached a mutual agreement to terminate his contract.
"I'm obviously very excited," Goodwin said. "I've left Holland with things not ending the way I would have liked, but I'm looking forward to this new opportunity to really take me to the next level.
"I just want to get back to really enjoying my football and that's what I did in the two years I spent here before, creating some of the most memorable moments of my career and of my life as well.
"I also really want to be able to share some more great moments with the fans, with my teammates, and with my family and friends."
Kurz expressed his delight at acquiring Goodwin, saying his proven quality and experience in the Hyundai A-League will benefit his team.
"It is fantastic that we have been able to bring Craig back to Adelaide United,” he said. "Craig was one of our main targets and I am sure he will help us a lot next season.
"Craig was very successful with our Club when he was here two seasons ago and proved his quality by signing for Sparta Rotterdam in the Netherlands.
"He comes back to Adelaide a much more experienced player and someone that will help us a lot going forward."
The versatile left-footer scored six goals in a total of 47 league appearances for Sparta across two seasons.
His timely return to South Australia comes hot on the heels of left-back Ben Garuccio's switch to Scottish Premier League side Heart of Midlothian.
Goodwin joins former Melbourne City defender Michael Jakobsen in the arrivals column for last season's fifth-placed finishers, with the Danish national signing on at Coopers Stadium earlier in the month.
