New Macarthur FC signing Jason Romero hopes he can be the spark to jolt the Bulls' A-League Men finals ambitions back into life after waiting his entire career for a shot at the top level.
The 28-year-old has made two appearances for the Bulls since signing for the club earlier this month and looks set for his first start at home when Macarthur host league leaders Melbourne City on Sunday.
The American has spent a long time waiting for a professional deal after showcasing his talents in the lower leagues in the USA and Sweden before landing in Australia three years ago.
Romero has thrived on Australian soil with APIA Leichhardt in the NPL NSW where he caught the attention of Bulls boss Mile Sterjovski.
The Macarthur manager needed attacking options after Ulises Davila was ruled out for the rest of the season, he recruited the American on an injury-replacement contract.
"I'd always been hungry for this opportunity but I knew I was getting older," Romero told AAP.
"I always went in with the mentality of I'm going to give it everything I have.
"Maybe in the last year I had shifted my thinking so that if it didn't happen then maybe it was time to get a full-time job."
Romero had chances to join other A-League clubs in the past but his status as an import was a deterrent to potential suitors.
"The Wanderers basically told me that if I wasn't classified as a visa player they would have signed me," he said.
"That was a bit of a bummer for me and I tried to use that as fuel for the tank."
Now given his shot, the Macarthur forward hopes to have an instant impact.
Sterjovski's sides sit in ninth but could climb into the top six with a win over City, who smashed them 6-1 in their last meeting.
"I know they're dealing with some injuries as well," Romero said.
"Given how we played against Brisbane last time out at home, hopefully we can built on that performance."
