It was arguably the biggest transfer of the summer but Panny Nikas won't have to wait long to face his former side.
Rockdale City start their NPL 1 campaign when they travel to Edensor Park to face Sydney United 58 on Sunday.
The Suns have recruited well in the off-season with Leigh Egger and Sasa Macura joining from Manly United, while David Bradasevic has returned to Rockdale from Bonnyrigg.
While they have lost Harris Gaitatzis (Sydney Olympic) and Blake Ricciuto (overseas), the capture of Nikas has made the rest of the league sit up and take notice.
The 30-year-old played A-League football with Central Coast and North Queensland and is a former NPL player of the year.
The Suns face a tricky start to the season. After Sydney United they face another tough away clash with Marconi before they host Hakoah Sydney City East in their first home match at the Ilinden Sports Centre in round three on March 24.